The Priesthood Without End: Melchizedek, Jesus, and Your Direct Access to God

In the Field Audio Bible: 5:51

In today's episode, we open the scroll again, this time to Hebrews 7. The scribe's arms. The candle flickers low, casting golden halos across weathered parchment. His robes are plain, worn from use but clean. A thin scarf is wrapped loosely around his neck, protection against the early chill of the evening. In the courtyard beyond, a shepherd passes by with tired eyes and dust-caked sandals, humming a psalm as he guides his last sheep to shelter. A widow cradles her sleeping child, whispering prayers. She's not sure she believes anymore. And further still, a young man, face lined too early by sorrow, lingers by the gate, eavesdropping on truths he longs to make his own. The scribe watches them from his window and then turns back to his scroll. He exhales I've written of hope. He whispers to no one in particular. But tonight I must write of something older, something mysterious, something eternal. Of something older, something mysterious, something eternal. He dips his quill and begins there was a priest long before the temple, a king with no beginning or end. His name was Melchizedek. He writes not for applause but for remembrance, not to impress but to reveal, because tucked into the story of this ancient priest-king is a thread that runs all the way to Christ, a thread that ties the old covenant to the new, a thread that tells us Jesus is not just another high priest, he is the greater one, the forever one, the priest whose intercession never ceases and whose throne is never empty procession never ceases and whose throne is never empty, as the scribe writes. He pauses his heart, stirred by the weight of what it means that we are not held by ritual but by a person, not just by sacrifice, but by a savior, one who lives forever to intercede. This chapter isn't just a lesson in ancient lineage. It's a reminder. There is someone praying for you right now. There is a king of peace who still welcomes the broken. There is a high priest whose presence isn't confined to temples made with hands, and so the scribe leans in. You can almost see his shoulders settle under the holy task. He writes for the shepherd, for the widow, for the doubting young man and perhaps for you.

In the Field Audio Bible: 9:37

This is Hebrews 7, a chapter of lineage and legacy, a chapter that doesn't just point backward but forward, to a priesthood that will never end, to a Savior who is both king and priest, to a hope that's not theoretical but alive and active and holding. You still. Pull up a seat. The ink is fresh, the word is alive. The ink is fresh, the word is alive, and the one it speaks of lives forever. Now let's take a moment to quiet our hearts and listen to the word itself. Let these words sink deep into your spirit, bringing comfort, conviction and encouragement, whether you're sitting in a quiet place or out in the world. Allow scripture to meet you right where you are. Let's listen now to what the scribe, led by the spirit, wrote for the weary, the wondering and the faithful. I hope you have your favorite cup of tea or coffee. Sit back, relax and let's step into the sacred text of the Epistle to the Hebrews 7.

In the Field Audio Bible: 11:21

The Epistle to the Hebrews 7. This king, Melchizedek of Salem, Priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he was returning from defeating the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned one-tenth of everything. His name in the first place means King of Righteousness. Next, he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace, without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. See how great he is. Even Abraham the patriarch gave him a tenth of his spoils, and those descendants of Levi who received the priestly office have a commandment in the law to collect tithes from the people that is from their kindred, though these are also descended from Abraham. But this man, who does not belong to their ancestry, collected tithes from Abraham and blessed him, who had received the promises. It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. In the one case, tithes are received by those who are mortal, in the other, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

In the Field Audio Bible: 13:20

Now, if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood for the people received the law under this priesthood what further need would there have been to speak of another priest arising according to the order of Melchizedek rather than one according to the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. Now, the one of whom these things are spoken belong to another tribe from which no one has ever served at the altar, for it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah and in connection with that tribe. Moses said nothing about priests. It is even more obvious when another priest arises resembling Melchizedek, one who has become a priest not through a legal requirement concerning physical descent, but through the power of an indestructible life, for it is attested of him you are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. There is, on the other hand, the abrogation of an earlier commandment, because it was weak and ineffectual, for the law made nothing perfect. There is, on the other hand, the introduction of a better hope through which we approach God. This was confirmed with an oath, for others who became priests took their office without an oath, but this one became a priest with an oath Because of the one who said to him the Lord has sworn and will not change his mind. You are a priest forever. Accordingly, Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant. Furthermore, the former priests were many in number because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able for all time to save those who approach God through Him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priest, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins and then for those of the people. This he did once for all when he offered himself, for the law appoints as high priest those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a son who has been made perfect forever. So, as we close today, I want to leave you with something simple. Not something to fix, not something to prove, just a quiet question for your soul what would change in your life if you truly believed your access to God didn't depend on performance, but on a permanent priest who never steps away?

In the Field Audio Bible: 17:09

Hebrews 7 introduces us to a mystery A priest not bound by lineage, ritual or even time, a priest like Melchizedek, but Greater One, whose ministry didn't end at the altar but continues forever. Jesus, our high priest, not only made the sacrifice, he is the sacrifice, and he never stops interceding for you. That means when you fail, he remains. When you fall short, he still stands for you. When you're too tired to pray, he prays on your behalf.

In the Field Audio Bible: 17:56

So how do you live in light of that kind of priesthood? You stop striving to be enough, you stop fearing that you've lost your place and you start resting in the truth that your connection to God is not fragile, it's not based on your record, it's based on His, and he is flawless. Maybe no one sees the quiet weight you carry, the questions you don't say out loud, the ache of wanting to be closer to God, but feeling like something's always in the way. But this chapter whispers back. There is no barrier. Now the priesthood has changed, the curtain has torn, the invitation has been signed in blood and sealed in grace.

In the Field Audio Bible: 18:53

So this week, when you feel the urge to perform, to prove or to hide, remember who represents you. When shame tells you to turn away, remember who welcomes you. And when your heart questions can I really come close? Let the answer of Hebrews 7 settle you. You can, because he never lets go, because his priesthood never ends, because he lives forever to intercede for you. And as you reflect on that, don't do it alone. Let someone into your process Talk about it, pray through it.

In the Field Audio Bible: 19:40

Let's be the kind of people who remind one another that grace didn't stop at the cross. It flows through an eternal priesthood, alive and active. Even now. Let's become the kind of church that doesn't just know this truth but walks in it. Let's hold fast together, not to fleeting feelings but to the forever faithfulness of Jesus.

In the Field Audio Bible: 20:07

So this week, let go of what disqualifies you, lean into what secures you A rest in the reality. You have a high priest who lives to intercede with you, for you, forever. And he is not going anywhere. He is faithful always. Thank you for joining me today as we journeyed through the epistle to the Hebrews 7. I pray that you carry these reflections with you into your day, into your week, and that you find strength in knowing God is with you in every trial, every temptation and every step of obedience. If this time in God's word has encouraged you, take a moment to share it with someone who might need it, and be sure to join me next time as we continue walking through the scriptures, learning, growing and staying faithful In the field of life. Until next time, may you find peace in the quiet, trust in God's call, and rest in His unchanging love. This is In the Field Audio Bible, where we Listen to the Bible One Chapter at a Time.