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.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Heb 7:25.
Two words in this passage give encouragement to me this morning, “uttermost” and “intercession”. Salvation is a complete process but to know that Jesus has the ability to save to the maximum if there is a limit (only placed there by Himself) gives me great joy. In addition to that he continues to intercede on my behalf (our behalf) before God the Father.
The context of this passage speaks of priests appointed by God to make sacrifices on behalf of sinners. Sacrifices had to be made on a perpetual basis because sin is relentless. Through this process, priests who were sinners themselves, offered sacrifices in accordance to God’s law for those who recognized their sin and wished to acknowledge it before God. By the law this process would continue indefinitely.
Verse 21 speaks of a priest that comes according to the order of Melchizedek and remains a priest forever. Death does not present an end to his service as it does with all other priests. Jesus fulfilled several roles in this process of salvation. First he is the perfect priest. He, unlike all other priests is without sin and requires no sacrifice to be made on His behalf. Second, He was the sacrifice as well. Unlike any sacrifice before Him, His blood and body was a once-for-all kind of sacrifice. His perfect sacrifice was worthy of covering all sin permanently for all who claimed Him as their sacrifice. Finally, His priesthood carries on because death was no obstacle for Him. The service of other priests came to end when their life ended. Jesus continues His intercession because He is alive and sits at the right hand of God the Father.
I start my day knowing that Jesus has both saved me and continues to intercede for me even now. Thank you Father for your son. Thank you Jesus for my life. Amen.