Word for Today: Friday, January 11, 2013

Hebrews 7:15-28 The Permanent Priesthood of Jesus

Memory Verse Hebrews 7:25(KJV)

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Yesterday we learnt that the Levitical Priesthood wasn't perfect, being humans they die at some stage in their lives; hence the need for a perfect and immortal Priesthood.

Jesus was made our High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. He couldn't have achieved that here on earth because he came from the Kingly Tribe, but he became our Perfect High Priest through his death and resurrection -his Indestructible life (Verse 16).

Jesus is our High Priest forever. What does forever mean? “Forever means never-ending, everlasting”.

Let’s be practical here. Sometimes doing the same thing over a period of time can be boring. Imagine being given an assignment to do for the rest of your life. Sounds like torture, isn’t it?

It takes commitment to keep on doing something for a long period of time. As human beings we are very limited and we tend to give up at certain stage in our lives. For instance, I am a leader in my Campus fellowship and I am expected to attend the leader’s meetings as well as fellowships every week but there are times that I don’t even feel like going especially during the winter. Being in a limited body that responds to harsh weather conditions makes it easy for me to stay indoors than brace the cold but when I remember my calling I get up, get dressed and go for the meeting.

I am still growing in my Christianity but thank God I am better than where I was some years ago. There are some mornings I wake up that I don’t feel like observing my quite time, sometimes I am just too knackered and feel like staying in bed all day sleeping. So even though I have grown in my Christianity I still have some limitations. Being in this human body limits me a lot. I know some people can relate to this. It isn’t easy committing to a particular assignment for years let alone all your life but I thank God I have a High Priest who isn’t tired of interceding on my behalf. He gives me strength in my weakness and those times I feel like giving up, he empowers me. 

The death of Jesus gave us a New Covenant and since Jesus became our High Priest, the Old regulation is no longer useful (Verses 18-19). The Law couldn’t make anyone perfect not even the Levitical Priests.

When an oath is made, it shows the severity of the situation. It puts a seal and removes all doubt. God only had to say “Jesus is the High Priest forever” but he knew some people will still doubt, so he swore. Verse 21. See also Psalm 110:4. What is an Oath? According to the web dictionary, “An oath is a solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one's future action or behaviour”.

God’s oath is a guarantee that Jesus is our High Priest forever. What other proof do we need? As humans we are subject to change. It is pretty hard to see a trustworthy fellow these days but we have a God, he is the almighty. He remains faithful even when we are faithless (2Tim2:13). He can and will never break his promises.

God has given his word which is final and supreme “Jesus is the final High Priest forever” No other person can succeed him. God’s oath made Jesus the guarantee of the better hope and the better covenant which are firm and secure.

Jesus lives forever interceding for us continually; there is therefore no need for another priest. He has been made perfect forever and lives forever and is able to save completely.  There is no limit with Jesus.Nobody apart from Jesus can save us. It baffles me when I hear that some people go seeking for help through diabolical means. It is only Jesus that can save us. He has given us life in abundance (John 10:10).

We have a better hope in Jesus which has enabled us to draw near to God confidently. It is a comfort to know that Jesus lives forever and that his ministry is continuous among us through the Holy Spirit. Nothing compares with You, Jesus.

As you go through those challenges, temptations, battles don’t forget that Jesus is constantly interceding for you. He knows exactly what you are going through. What is it that can separate us from his love? (Romans 8:38-39) Absolutely nothing, just relax and let Jesus do his job. God bless you.