“Jesus, who has become a perpetual priest not on the basis of a physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life” (Hebrews 7:16).
The priests of the Old Testament were chosen to serve based on a specific physical requirement; they must be born of the tribe of Levi. Their service as a priest was temporary since they eventually died. You could say they were destructible. Jesus was born of the tribe of Judah so He did not qualify to be a priest under the old covenant. So how did Jesus become a priest to us?
Jesus became a priest, not by meeting a physical requirement, but by the “power of an indestructible life.” As the Son of God, Jesus’ life is indestructible. He lives forever. He is a perpetual everlasting priest who intercedes for us.
“The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:23-25).
The contrast of Jesus as a permanent priest versus the temporary priests of the old covenant extends to the covenant they represent. Not only is Jesus, on the basis of an indestructible life, a better priest; He is the mediator of a better covenant.
“So much more also, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant” (Hebrews 7:22). “But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises” (Hebrews 8:6).
Jesus ushered in a better covenant. Jesus initiated a better arrangement. And in this new arrangement, the power of His indestructible life lives in us. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Carry on in the power of His indestructible life in you!