Unchangeable

Hebrews 8-Part 3
But this man, (Jesus) because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Hebrews 7:24


LET IT GLOW

Things have changed a lot in my short lifetime of half a century-party lines and dial telephones to cell phones with computers, black and white tv to high definition television, a hook on a screen door for a lock to a security system with instant notification of an intruder, a wringer washing machine to a push button computerized washer, a stamped letter taking 2 weeks for contact to instant email and facebook, all kinds of appliances that do all kinds of work for you, and controlled from another place.

Some changes in our society are good, but some are not. At any rate, there is one thing that does not nor will it ever change-the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

The word of the day is unchangeable. Unchangeable means not liable to pass to a successor. (Thayer's Lexicon)
Unchangeable means not capable of change; immutable; not subject to variation. (King James Dictionary)

Verse 24 in The New Century Version says But because Jesus lives forever, He will never stop serving as priest.   

It is claimed that there were 84 high priests who served from Aaron until the destruction of the temple by the Romans in A.D. 70. The lesser priests' numbers were much larger. (MacArthur Bible Commentary).

Since the Jewish high priests  eventually died, due to their mortality, being a man, they had to be replaced. It is not so with Jesus. (Although He died, Jesus continued to live and resurrected.)  As Matthew Henry said, "There is no vacancy in this priesthood."

"This new priesthood needs no successor," states Liberty Bible Commentary.

What a wonderful promise! This is one thing that will not change-Jesus serves as my High Priest forever.

LET IT GROW

Verse 25 says Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Here are some things Jesus is able to do:
He is able to save us completely and forever, to the uttermost. Our salvation is complete in respect to time, so it's secure to the end of time. It's complete in that it can perfect regeneration in any life. christ is a better high priest because His intercession is unending and complete, providing access into God's presence.  (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Does Jesus' character qualify Him to be a High Priest?

Verse 26 in the NIV states Such a high priest meets our need-one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

NEB says Such a high priest does indeed fit our condition.  

He meets our needs so well because of His qualities:

• holy in His personal piety;
• harmless, guileless morally, blameless;
• undefiled, similar to the cleanness required of levitical priests in physical contacts, pure in every way;
• separated from sinners and totally sinless;
• made higher than the heavens since He interceeds daily to the God in heaven, but He is the God in heaven;
• offered Himself for the sin of man as a sacrifice once and for all; (verse 27)
• has been perfect forever (consecrated).

[Resource: Liberty Bible Commentary]

The unchanging nature of Jesus' priesthood means that the salvation He gives is also unchanging, permanent, and secure. He can save to the uttermost. He can save forever. (David Guzik)

Jesus in the only way to God because it is what the inerrant, unchangeable, eternal Word of God says.
(Wendy Blight of Proverbs 31 Women)

God is committed to His covenant with us. Am I striving to keep my agreement on the human side?


LET IT GO

Completely trust my heart and soul to my High Priest, Jesus Christ.

Confess my sins to my High Priest and turn away from my sins.