“He 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.
“For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He 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. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
“Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.” Hebrews 7:24-8:2
The permanent and forever High Priest, Jesus, alone saves completely, to the uttermost, by His limitless perfection. He whose death interceded for ours continues to intercede on our behalf, pleading before His Father from His right hand. The all in all gave His all, His faultless blood, to make us spotless and holy.
Yet how easy it is for us to live half-heartedly in the comparatives. Go with gusto, then gripe and grouse. Give generously, but give in to greed. Devote time and effort, but withhold some pet places. Believe in God, but avoid surrender. What a stark contrast we are to our excellent, wholly sacrificial Savior!
If we really believe Christ’s priesthood is permanent, why do we hide in shame and live in constant defeat? If it is true Christ is always praying for us, why do we fret and fear? If He has once for all put our sin and its power away, why do we keep yielding to temptation? What difference can it make in our attitude toward sin and daily life if we took Jesus’s superlatives literally? Permanent forever. Highly exalted. Perfect sacrifice. Unceasing intercession. High. Holy. True.
How would it change our worship if we rejoiced in the always and everlastings of our infallible Savior instead of focusing on temporal troubles and needs? What magnificence, excellence, resplendence of the high King have we witnessed recently? What fresh praise will we offer to our all in all for His perfect blood and saving, keeping power?
“I hear the Savior say,
‘Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.’
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow’r and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.
For nothing good have I
Where-by Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.
And when, before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
‘Jesus died my soul to save,’
My lips shall still repeat.
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.” ~Elvina M. Hall (1865)
Lord, let me never forget Your astounding supremacy and excellent, eternal, salvation, and so live exalting You, alone worthy of the highest honor and praise.
As the rain and snow 