Spiritual leadership by kings, prophets and priests in the Old Testament was appointed by God. The Kings led the people as shepherds under God's authority; the prophets came to the fore when the kings did not rule in a godly way; the priests led the people in worship, teaching God's Word, and making sacrifices to atone for the sins of people. However, as Hebrews explains, although God's appointed leaders were imperfect, they served as a model to explain what Jesus Christ would do (Hebrews 10:11-12). He is God's greatest King, Prophet and High Priest.

The kings, prophets and high priests were appointed by God. It was seen to be God's choice. Nobody could take on one of those roles without authority. When Moses' sister Miriam presumed to be a prophet (Numbers 12:1-10) and King Uzziah presumed to be a priest (2 Chronicles 26:16-21), they were struck with leprosy. Although Jesus never served as a priest in a physical temple, He was appointed by Father God to be our Great High Priest in heaven (Hebrews 4:14).

The writer points to two scriptures inspired by the Holy Spirit: Psalm 2:7 and Psalm 110:4. Both Psalms were previously quoted in Hebrews 1:5 and 1:13 as evidence of Christ's Sonship. Now these verses are used to demonstrate that the Lord Jesus is both the Son-King and the King-Priest of God's choice. Melchizedek was a king-priest who ruled over Salem (later Jerusalem): he greeted Abraham with bread and wine, blessed him and received his tithes (Genesis 14:18-20). His sudden appearance and disappearance from the Genesis record led the writer of Hebrews to describe him as without father or mother, without beginning or end (Hebrews 7:1-21) – so he is presented as a 'type' of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ's priesthood is therefore superior to Aaron's, pre-dating Aaron and the Law, and eternally effective (Hebrews 6:20).

Human beings have always wanted to have visible evidence of the gods they worship, even though they cannot reconcile us to God. Idols provide that reassurance, and human priests do as well. But through the gospel we have come to see that Jesus is the only High Priest we need (and all believers are under-priests – Revelation 5:9-10) . Although we cannot see Him, we love Him (1 Peter 1:8) - His Priesthood is infinitely superior than the flawed human examples. We do not need any other intermediary between us and God; Christ Jesus is totally sufficient (1 Timothy 2:5). Our faith is not based on performing a set of religious rites. It is founded on the confidence that Jesus Christ is both our sacrifice for sins and our Great High Priest - whose mediation with Father God is fully effective. It is a wonderful liberating truth. However long you have known Him, today, are you trusting Him alone for your salvation, your provision and protection? If you are, are you also passing the message to others?