Read Hebrews 7:1-17
“Jesus, a priest like Melchizedek, not by genealogical descent but
by the sheer force of resurrection life — he lives! — ‘priest
forever in the royal order of Melchizedek’ … Jesus!
—a way that does work, that brings us right into
the presence of God, is put in its place.”
(Hebrews 7:15-16,19 The Message)
Thoughts… The writer of Hebrews is going to great lengths to remind his readers that Jesus is all they will ever need, the all-sufficient one. Since these believers were facing increasing hostility for their faith in Christ, some of them were being tempted to fall back in line with the old system of Judaism. So he aims to convince them of the superiority of Christ’s priesthood over the ministry of angels, the law of Moses, and the old Levitical system of priests and sacrifices.
Throughout this letter, he makes a splendid and convincing case for Christ. Among the many things that he teaches about the priesthood of Jesus, here are three that ought to encourage any believer, especially if they are going through a challenging time:
First, as a high priest, Jesus is on your side.
Hebrews 6:19-20 says, “We have this hope [in Jesus] as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.”
Knowing that Jesus is on your side gives you an incredible emotional and spiritual strength to live the victorious Christian life, especially during trying and tempting times.
Second, as a high priest, Jesus will provide the power for you to stay the course.
Hebrews 7:25 says, “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”
You ever wonder what Jesus is doing now? That verses clearly says he is continually before the Father, representing your cause. What a thought—Jesus is your personal intercessor.
And third, Jesus is more satisfying than any other temporary fix that you might be tempted to trust.
Hebrews 9: 27-28 says, “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people.”
Trusting in any other person or religious system would be settling for an infinitely distant second best. Jesus is the only one who can save!
What good news this is: Jesus is your personal high priest, and they don’t get any better than him.
Prayer… Lord, how awesome that you ever live to intercede for me. What encouragement and strength that brings to my spirit. I offer up my gratitude to you, O faithful High Priest. You are worthy to be praised.
One More Thing… “Jesus was God and man in one person, that God and man might be happy together again.” — George Whitefield
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