Jesus is our high priest. He reigns forever. We have an audience with God because of Jesus and the price he paid for us. This is an example of once and done. Our salvation rests in Jesus. As the Bible says, “Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.”
How does that make you feel to know that Jesus stands ready to intercede for you? I often picture myself before a judge feeling more and more anxious until I look up and see Jesus ready to plead my case. Having a legal background, this image is particularly vivid. You have probably watched enough television shows to have witnessed a court of law. Wasn’t it Perry Mason that always saved the day? Matlock was a little more recent but did the same thing. I know that’s theatrics and not real, but Jesus’ love and support are real and available to us.
So what do we have to fear then? Our advocate and friend is ready to jump in and save us no matter what we’ve done. Before Jesus, the priests would have started by confessing their own sins using sacrifices. Only after cleansing themselves were they ready to bring the sins of the people before God. What a huge responsibility that was.
Jesus “has been made the perfect High Priest forever.” This explanation would make sense to the Jews of the day because they were used to the sacrifice exchange for sin. What would take them some time to wrap their head around is that now their high priest was perfect. While human, Jesus did not sin. That’s hard for us to fathom as well.
For God, nothing is impossible. Even having power over sin and death. Why then do we try to limit God? It’s because our minds are limited. There is no way we can fully comprehend God and his mighty power. We’re not meant to. He will reveal himself to us little by little until the day we see him face to face. Have you ever said, “I’ll just have to ask God when I see him in eternity.” These are little everyday truths that sometimes hold us up and keep us stuck.
Before Jesus, the system had flaws. The people hearing this for the first time, the Jews would be familiar with that. “For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” Hallelujah!
Let’s pray. Lord Jesus thank you for the atoning sacrifice you made for me. To know that you stand beside me and present me and my failures, concerns, joys, triumphs, sins, and all struggles before the throne gives me peace. You are always beside me and never leave or forsake me. I feel so empowered by your presence. Help me not to forget how you have made the perfect sacrifice once and for all. We all have access to the Father through you. Thank you, Jesus. In your name, I pray. Amen.
