Aaron died there on the top of the mountain… And when all the congregation saw that Aaron had perished, all the house of Israel wept for Aaron thirty days. (Num 20:28-29)
He had served as the first high priest of Israel–a mere mortal, appointed to intercede between the people and the LORD. Now, Aaron was dead, and the nation wept for a month.
This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. (Heb 7:22)
What? How? Why, centuries later, would the writer of The Letter to the Hebrews say such a thing? Listen:
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but [Jesus] holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Heb 7:23-25)
Aaron died. Generations of priests after him lived and served and died. High priest after high priest was prevented by death from continuing in office.
But Jesus lives. Always. Jesus holds–in the present tense–his priesthood. Permanently. His work continues to this day without disruption. He serves as high priest at this very moment, willing and able to intercede for those who draw near to God through him.
“We have such a high priest.” Meditate on that incredible phrase today. The One who mediates on our behalf “has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself” (7:27). Jesus is the sacrificial lamb. Jesus is the resurrected priest. Jesus is the living, permanent intercessor and Christians have been given access to the throne of the universe, in his name.
The next time you bow your head and lift your heart in prayer, take a silent, reflective moment to appreciate how this makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant, then thank your Father in heaven that his Son always lives to make intercession for you.