“And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, ‘The Lord swore and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek’).”
(Hebrews 7:20-21)
The writer of Hebrews spends a good deal of time contrasting how the role Christ fulfills as our High Priest differs from that of the priests of the Old Testament. Levitical priests were commissioned without an oath, a process that while significant, lacked the solemnity and divine affirmation that an oath carries. In stark contrast, Christ’s priesthood was established with a divine oath, demonstrating its eternal, unchangeable nature. This distinction speaks to the heart of what makes Christ’s role as Mediator so vital, so potent, and so superior.
An oath, in biblical terms, is a declaration of absolute truth and commitment that cannot be revoked. When God declares something with an oath, it carries a weight of permanence and irrevocability that nothing else does. The oath mentioned in Hebrews indicates two crucial aspects: the infallible certainty of God’s promise and the solemn authority and dignity conferred upon Christ’s priesthood.[1]
The significance of this divine oath aptly portrays what Christ’s priesthood represents—the manifestation of God’s perfect justice, infinite mercy, almighty power, and unsearchable wisdom. These attributes of God, expressed through Christ’s priestly function, are central to the understanding of redemption and salvation that can be bestowed upon sinners.
Serving as High Priest, Christ is the mediator of a better covenant, one that promises eternal redemption and reconciliation by His performance. This covenant ensures that those who come to Him can do so with the assurance of His unchanging, eternal priesthood. By His one sacrificial act, Christ achieved what countless Levitical offerings could not: the permanent removal of sins and the restoration of the relationship between God and His people.
Moreover, understanding Christ’s priesthood helps us appreciate the significance of salvation and the basis of our hope which rests on the once-for-all sacrifice that Christ offered. This sacrifice, validated and sealed by God’s oath, is the foundation upon which the promise of eternal life is secured. Thus, Christ’s priesthood, ordained by an oath, is of supreme importance for it is the living reality of God’s promise to His creation and the assurance of His unchanging commitment to His people.
Contemplations:
- The Unchanging Promise: As I reflect on Hebrews 7:20-21, I am struck by the permanence of God’s promises. The oath by which Christ was made a priest forever is the foundation of my faith. This assurance provides a profound sense of security and peace, knowing that my Mediator before God is eternally appointed and will never change.
- The Solemnity of Divine Oath: The concept of an oath, particularly when spoken by God, helps us understand the seriousness with which God approaches His covenant with us. This truth reassures us of the unbreakable nature of His commitment.
- The Superiority of Christ’s Priesthood: Knowing that Christ’s priesthood was established by divine oath helps me see the stark contrast between the Old and New Covenants. Christ’s priesthood is superior in that it is based in His performance that has already been accomplished. Therefore, my access to Almighty God is mediated through a perfect priesthood, superior to any other.
- The Eternal Mediator: Whenever I consider my own sins and the frailty of human efforts, I find great comfort in knowing that Christ, my mediator, secures my place before God not just for now but forever, a fact that encourages me to come boldly before Him for every need.
Further References for Hebrews 7:20-21:
Psalm 110:4; Heb. 5:6; Num. 23:19; 1 Sam. 15:29
[1] William Gouge, A Learned and Very Useful Commentary on the Whole Epistle to the Hebrews (London: A.M., T.W. and S.G. for Joshua Kirton, 1655), 191.
