Jesus: Our Eternal High Priest and Mediator

In our exploration of Psalms 109 through 111, we delve into the profound role of Jesus Christ as our great high priest, a priest Forever After the order of Melchizedek. This priesthood is distinct from the Levitical order, as it predates it and is eternal. God's desire from the beginning was to have a deep, intimate fellowship with humanity, a relationship characterized by the Greek word "koinonia," which signifies a profound oneness and sharing. However, sin disrupted this fellowship, creating a chasm between God and man. Despite this, God's longing for communion with humanity remained, and He devised a plan to restore this broken relationship through His Son, Jesus Christ.

The priesthood established under the law served as a temporary measure to bridge the gap between sinful man and a holy God. The Levitical priests acted as mediators, offering sacrifices to atone for the people's sins. Yet, this system was only a shadow of the ultimate solution God had in mind. The story of Melchizedek, a mysterious figure who appears in Genesis, serves as a precursor to the eternal priesthood of Christ. Melchizedek, whose name means "king of righteousness," was both a king and a priest, and he blessed Abraham, receiving tithes from him. This encounter foreshadows the coming of Jesus, who embodies both righteousness and peace.

Jesus, our great high priest, stands in heaven as our advocate, interceding on our behalf. Unlike the Levitical priests, who had to continually offer sacrifices, Jesus offered Himself once and for all, providing a permanent solution to the problem of sin. His priesthood is not based on genealogy or earthly lineage but on the power of an indestructible life. As believers, we have direct access to God through Jesus, who understands our weaknesses and intercedes for us with compassion and empathy.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God's original intent was to have a deep, intimate relationship with humanity, characterized by the Greek word "koinonia," which signifies a profound oneness and sharing. This relationship was disrupted by sin, but God's desire for fellowship remained, leading to the establishment of a priesthood to mediate between God and man. [02:40]
• 2. The story of Melchizedek, a king and priest who blessed Abraham, serves as a precursor to the eternal priesthood of Christ. Melchizedek's encounter with Abraham foreshadows the coming of Jesus, who embodies both righteousness and peace, and whose priesthood is eternal and not based on earthly lineage. [10:35]
• 3. Jesus Christ, our great high priest, stands in heaven as our advocate, interceding on our behalf. Unlike the Levitical priests, who had to continually offer sacrifices, Jesus offered Himself once and for all, providing a permanent solution to the problem of sin. [27:38]
• 4. As believers, we have direct access to God through Jesus, who understands our weaknesses and intercedes for us with compassion and empathy. His priesthood is not based on genealogy or earthly lineage but on the power of an indestructible life. [33:34]
• 5. The priesthood of Jesus is superior to the Levitical priesthood, as it is eternal and based on the order of Melchizedek. This means that Jesus is our mediator, and we can approach God with confidence, knowing that He represents us perfectly before the Father. [36:32]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:17] - Opening Prayer
• [00:35] - Introduction to the Study
• [01:02] - The Desire for Fellowship
• [02:18] - The Breach of Sin
• [03:38] - God's Plan for Restoration
• [05:14] - Abraham's Journey
• [06:22] - Establishment of the Levitical Priesthood
• [09:16] - The Story of Melchizedek
• [12:11] - David's Messianic Psalm
• [15:01] - Jesus as the Fulfillment
• [18:14] - The Certainty of God's Oath
• [22:29] - The Order of Melchizedek
• [26:01] - Jesus, Our Great High Priest
• [29:42] - Jesus' Compassion for Sinners
• [36:32] - Boldly Approaching the Throne
• [38:43] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

1. Psalm 110:4 - "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'"
2. Hebrews 7:24-25 - "But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."
3. Genesis 14:18-20 - "Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, 'Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.' Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything."

1. What is the significance of Melchizedek's encounter with Abraham, and how does it foreshadow the priesthood of Christ? ([10:35])
2. How does the sermon describe the original intent of God's relationship with humanity, and what word is used to characterize this relationship? ([01:40])
3. According to the sermon, what role did the Levitical priesthood serve, and how is it different from the priesthood of Jesus? ([07:56])
4. What does the sermon say about Jesus' role as our advocate and how it differs from the role of the Levitical priests? ([27:38])

1. How does the eternal nature of Jesus' priesthood, as described in Psalm 110:4, impact the way believers can approach God today? ([36:32])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' understanding of human weakness enhances his role as our high priest? ([33:34])
3. How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus offering himself "once and for all" compared to the continual sacrifices of the Levitical priests? ([27:38])
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of Jesus' priesthood not being based on genealogy or earthly lineage? ([23:59])

1. Reflect on your personal relationship with God. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of "koinonia" or intimate fellowship with Him this week? ([02:40])
2. The sermon highlights Jesus' role as our advocate. How can this understanding change the way you pray or approach God with your needs? ([29:42])
3. Consider the idea of Jesus interceding for us with compassion and empathy. How can this influence the way you show empathy and compassion to others in your life? ([33:34])
4. The sermon mentions that Jesus' priesthood is based on the power of an indestructible life. How does this assurance affect your faith and confidence in approaching God? ([23:59])
5. How can the story of Melchizedek and his blessing of Abraham inspire you to be a blessing to others in your community? ([10:35])
6. The sermon discusses the superiority of Jesus' priesthood. How can this understanding help you when you face doubts or challenges in your faith journey? ([36:32])
7. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God due to sin. How does the message of Jesus' permanent solution to sin encourage you to seek reconciliation and restoration? ([27:38])