You Are a Priest Forever For All People
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We Need an Eternal Perspective
When powerful conflicts and tragedies pierce our sense of a peaceful world, they bring confusion and questions and incite fear. In any conflict, people take sides and see those on the other side as enemies. This is true in conflicts between nations, within families, and between friends.
In tumultuous times, it is easy to lose perspective and get pulled into choosing a side. How can we resist the pull to one side or another? We need an eternal perspective. Though it may be difficult to grasp at that moment, God alone will resolve all conflicts forever at the end of this age.
How long is forever? This could be a question from a child, but forever is a difficult concept to grasp. When does forever start and when does it end? It doesn't. Our lives are governed by time, so it's difficult to comprehend eternity. Our life on earth begins at conception, then birth, and ends with our last breath and burial.
Humans were created in the image of God. Inherent within us is the capacity to live forever but, only when we experience reconciliation with our Creator and He restores us spiritually.
How is this possible? Only through God Himself. Thankfully, He came as the one and only eternal priest who can reconcile us with God—Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Psalm 110 prophetically speaks of this!
Scripture
A psalm by David.
The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the highest position in heaven until I make your enemies your footstool.”
The Lord will extend your powerful scepter from Zion. Rule your enemies who surround you.
Your people will volunteer when you call up your army.
Your young people will come to you in holy splendor like dew in the early morning. [vss 1-3]
The Lord has taken an oath and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the way Melchizedek was a priest.”
The Lord is at your right side. He will crush kings on the day of his anger.
He will pass judgment on the nations and fill them with dead bodies.
Throughout the earth he will crush their heads.
He will drink from the brook along the road. He will hold his head high. [vss 4-7]
(Psalm 110:1-7 GW) [Context– Psalm 110]
Reflections and Insights
When reading the Psalms, we need to keep in mind who wrote them and when they wrote them. We need to view each psalm from the viewpoint of the author’s cultural and historical context. Then, we can consider how the psalm relates to us in our time and culture.
King David wrote this psalm. He was a great king for Israel, but he was a shepherd and a warrior before he was king. David’s relationship with God began while a shepherd over his family’s sheep, but wrote them while king of Israel.
Being a warrior-king, David realized the Lord would be the ultimate King of Kings. He understood the Lord would also be the ultimate victor over all conflicts and the judge of all people. David knew the ultimate resolution to all conflict requires a spiritual solution. David believed God would personally intervene as a great High Priest and the King of all kings.
Psalm 110 is a prophetic Messianic psalm. King David was a prophet of God acknowledged by the Lord (Matt 22:44; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:42-43) and echoed by Peter (Acts 2:30-35) and in Hebrews 1:13. God personally intervened through His Son, Jesus.
The LORD—Yahweh, the Eternal One—is our eternal priest, our personal bridge of reconciliation. Jesus’ name in Hebrew is Jehovah-shua (Yahweh-shua), shortened to Joshua in English. He lives forever and continually intercedes (prays) for those who trust in Him (Heb 7:25).
Psalm 110 reminds us of our eternal hope that outshines the darkness, discouragement, and danger of life in this world. Those who trust in the Lord Jesus have this hope as an anchor for their souls (Heb 6:19), even during dark, tumultuous times.
Reflection—
Have you learned to trust your life to Him who lives forever? Look beyond the dark shadows of this life by faith as you entrust your life to the One who lives forever!
Prayer Focus—
When conflicts or tragedies invade your life, call out to the Lord Jesus, our King and High Priest, who is eternal and always interceding for those who trust in Him.
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