Thursday, March 8, 2007

Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 7:24-26

Lord, today help us to see Jesus as One on our side.
Are you feeling secure in your relationship with Jesus? Are you happy
that he is always there for you?

The book of Hebrews presents Jesus to us as our High Priest. He became
completely human "in order that he might become a faithful high priest
in the service of God" (2:17). Because he was tempted in every way, just
as we are, he is able to sympathetically offer us help (2:18), mercy and
grace (4:16). Our text tells us three things about the results or
benefits of his priesthood:
1. He lives forever, so he has a permanent priesthood. He is the Son of
God who has "passed through the heavens" (4:15) and sits at the right
hand of the throne of God. He presented himself as an offering for sin –
once and for all – (10:10-12) and was raised from the dead.
2. He is able to save completely (forever, to the uttermost) those who
come to God by him. Once we have given our lives to him, he carries us
through life and on into heaven to reign with him forever. What he has
started in us he will complete (Philippians 1:6). Nothing is able to
separate us from his love (Romans 8:39).
3. He always lives to make intercession for us. The results of his
atoning sacrifice are kept before God so that he always sees us as in
Christ and therefore as righteous. David Eckman puts it this way: "When
God looks at his Son, he sees me. When God looks at me, he sees his
Son." I am "in Christ" forever, and this means there is no condemnation.
In Romans 8 Paul tells us that there is no condemnation for those who
are in Christ Jesus. Who will condemn us – cause us to miss heaven? Not
the Father, for he has justified us. Paul goes on to say, "Who is he
that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died – more than that, who was raised
to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us"
(vs. 34).
One person asked, "How would you feel right now if you knew that Jesus
was in the next room praying for you?" Well, he is! And not only there
but before the throne of heaven!

Floyd Roseberry, Pastor to Pastors