Marsha's Musings: Christ, the Only Priest We Need (Hebrews 7:11-17 ESV)

Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged 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. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 7:11-17 ESV)

The main point of this passage is that Jesus Christ is a better, perfect priest Who wipes out the need for any others.  If Christ is a priest forever, and the only time the high priest office had a new priest installed was when the previous one died, then since Christ lives forever, there is no need for more earthly priests. So then necessarily, any church orgainization that employs priests as intercessors between the people and God are usurping the place of Jesus Christ as priest on our behalf.  

I'm so thankful that my high priest lives forever to go before the Father for me.  It gives me such peace to know that He is always there, always available and not only there to hear my confessions of sin but there to bring comfort and peace in times of trouble and I have access at any time of the day or night.  This is what sustains me through my husband's health issues, hospitalization, treatment, and uncertain future. No earthly priest can come close to that.