August 9

An unchangeable priesthood. — Hebrews 7:24.

THE apostle is speaking of Jesus, and showing the superiority of his person and office over those of the law. He especially refers to this particular that they, being merely men, were constantly changing, and did not continue, by reason of death, on the other hand, Christ, having life and immortality in himself, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Let us, however, trace those resemblances which existed between those priests whose offices were clearly typical, and the great antetype the Lord Jesus Christ. The priests under the law were chosen and appointed by God: the tribe whence they should be selected, and all other things, were fixed by the Lord. So Jesus was God's called, his elect, and chosen servant: hence we read of the Father sending his Son, giving his Son, not sparing his Son, and, after his appearance, declaring his perfect approbation of his Son, and calling upon all men to "hear him." The priests under the law were to be without bodily blemish or mental infirmity. Now, this was more than realized in Jesus; for he was not only a perfect man as it respects his corporeal frame, and the faculties of his mind, but he was, without moral infirmity, a lamb without spot, "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners." The ancient priests were set apart to their office by the washing of water and with holy oil. So Jesus, having dwelt in privacy for nearly thirty years, appeared to be initiated into his holy office, by passing through the waters of baptism, and by the anointing influence of the Holy Ghost. For when he was baptized, the Holy Spirit descended and lighted upon him, and a voice from the excellent Glory, proclaimed his divinity, and attested, that in him the Father was well pleased. Such were the significant and striking circumstances connected with the appointment of Jesus to his Priestly office.