Hebrews 7
Bible Passage: Hebrews 7
Let Jesus Save You Forever
Hebrews 7 basically corroborates the concept of a better hope, so that we may be reassured of God’s promise and encouraged to hold on to our faith.
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. (Hebr 6:19-20)
…for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. (Hebr 7:19)
The better hope actually refers to the hope of eternal life together with God.
For this reason Hebrews 6:19b talks about the hope …which enters the Presence behind the veil… and Hebrews 7:19 mentions that it is a hope …through which we draw near to God. This hope is the ultimate hope of man ever since Adam and Eve sinned and were subsequently separated from God.
The author of Hebrews uses chapter 7 to explain why Jesus Christ is a High Priest of the order of Melchizedek:
Since Melchizedek is without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God (Hebr 7:3), we can conclude that he is God Himself.
And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him:
“ The LORD has sworn
And will not relent,
‘ You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek’”),
by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.
Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
(Hebr 7:20-25)
In Old Testament times, God came into the world in the form of Melchizedek to bless Abraham.
In the New Testament, God came into the world again. This time, He came in the form of Jesus Christ who offered up Himself as an eternal sacrifice for our sins. Thus he became the New Testament Melchizedek, a High Priest forever and greater than any Levitical high priest before Him.
We know that a priest’s main duty is to offer up sacrifices to God and to pray for the believers. Being the eternal High Priest, Jesus intercedes for us continually. For this reason our hope of salvation is both steadfast and sure.
As long as we do our part, hold fast to our faith and strive for spiritual growth, we will definitely receive God’s promise. We will definitely enter the haven of rest, the eternal kingdom of God; it doesn’t matter that we are imperfect; it doesn’t matter that we are still making mistakes and often stumbling in our journey of faith.
Jesus knows our weaknesses and that’s why He established Himself as the eternal High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek to pray for us until the day when we will meet Him again in Paradise.
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biblereadingcompanion
It is with a grateful heart that I read today’s passage and blog posting… for the message of “Let Jesus Save You Forever” are encouraging & comforting words in the midst of widespread chaos and personal tragedy.
Although it has been a couple of days since the earthquake in Japan, the horrific videos and reports continue to speak loudly of the prophecies that Jesus said concerning the last days. We thank God that although some of our members there suffered material loss, but in general, none of them were harmed mortally.
Yesterday, I heard a piece of extremely sad news. One of my close childhood friend’s wife (whom I also knew quite well back then) was diagnosed with a very serious illness and had to undergo an emergency operation. I called my friend and while the operation went successfully, her life is not yet out of danger.
When I first heard the news, my heart ached and tears welled up within me. I have not been a very good friend as over the years, because of our jobs and we attending different TJC churches, we drifted apart. The closeness we shared is no longer there.
And when I talked to him over the phone, I was at a loss as to what to say….
Words seem meaningless…. empty… cliched…
I then read Hebrews 7:25….
“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
As man and a friend, we may not be able to do much… except to pray and show our concern.
But we have a God – A Saviour – A Friend – An Intercessor – who not only is able – but able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Jesus. And not only this… Jesus is now in heaven interceding for us. Which makes it a great relief ’cause I really do not know how or what to pray properly for this….
Without Jesus, I could do nothing. But with Jesus, I could do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13).
I do not know what lies ahead for my friend and wife. And I do not know how much a better friend I can become to them.
But I do know one thing… Jesus is able to save. Maybe not for life in this physical world… but most definitely for the eternal home where there will be no more sickness and pain.
Truly… Without Him, I Could Do Nothing….
PS
Heb 7:3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginnings of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
Last Sabbath, Dn Yeow mentioned in his sermon that when the bible wirters penned the bible by the inspiration of God, they did not have the concept of trinity.
Hebrews 7:3 helps me to understand what Dn Yeow meant.
In trinity, there is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. i wonder how to explain the Son is “without Father” in the context of Hebrews 7:3 under trinity?
(In the chinese bible the phrase “remains a priest continually” is not recorded in Heb 7:3)
Hebrews 7:26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than heavens.
Why is the High Priest “separate from sinners”? Wasn’t Lord Jesus eating and drinking “with tax collectors and sinners”? (Mark 2:16)
Lord Jesus said in reply, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Mark 2:17)
Lord Jesus was living amidst sinners but He separated Himself from sins (Hebrews 4:15) and consecrated Himself to do the work His Father (John 4:34 and 14:30).
The bible is the word of God and is profitable for
doctrine + reproof + correction + instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16) when read with reverence and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
His manual is ready. Are His workers equipped?