15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.

Hebrews 7:15–16 (ESV)

Sometimes you fall upon a sentence fragment that speaks volumes, that’s a sermon in and of itself, both an appropriate title and text. Here in the midst of a lengthy comparison between priestly order and powerful king, between Levi and the ancient Melchizedek, to whom the patriarch Abraham paid tribute, is the phrase “according to the power of an indestructible life.”

Who wouldn’t covet an indestructible life these days, yet it’s available in Jesus, who offers a better hope that allows us to draw near to God (v. 19) and a guaranteed better covenant (v. 22).

26 For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.

Hebrews 7:26–28

We have a perfect, permanent, and perpetual solution to our sin and death problem; Jesus.

He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 7:25

This passage, while somewhat abstract to us in this age, teaches us that Abraham, who was worthy of a tithe from Melchizedek, he being the patriarch of the Hebrews, chose to worship, if you will, a type of Jesus, teaching us the inferiority of the law, and the power of an indestructible life.