DIAGNOSIS AND DELIVERER

OPENING PRAYER:

Thank You, Jesus, for praying for me; You know my heart.

READ: Hebrews 7:11–28

Jesus Like Melchizedek

11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared:

“You are a priest forever,

in the order of Melchizedek.”[a]

18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:

“The Lord has sworn

and will not change his mind:

‘You are a priest forever.’”[b]

22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.

23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely[c] those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

Footnotes [a] Hebrews 7:17 Psalm 110:4

[b] Hebrews 7:21 Psalm 110:4

[c] Hebrews 7:25 Or forever

REFLECT:

Let your mind be blown away by the thought that Jesus is praying for you! What request do you have for Him today?

Medical equipment and laboratory testing help doctors to diagnose diseases. But a diagnosis is no cure. Based on the diagnosis, the physician prescribes surgical or medical interventions.

While effective in diagnosing the human condition, the law was ineffectual – ‘weak and useless’ (18b) – in delivering us from sin. The law – which serves as the standard by which our moral standing is evaluated – leads to a damning diagnosis: ‘all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23). But the law offers neither help in upholding those high standards nor hope of deliverance. It is only through our deliverer, Jesus, that we may ‘draw near to God’ (19b).

The work of the earlier priests was impermanent, inadequate, imperfect. The priesthood of Jesus is characterized by permanence (‘a priest forever’), power (‘an indestructible life’), and perfection (‘holy, blameless, pure’). His work is twofold: the completed work of the cross, which accomplished salvation; and His continual work of intercession, by which He empowers us to partner with Him in the ongoing work of our sanctification (25b).

APPLY:

Reflect on how you will ‘continue to work out your salvation,’ while never forgetting that ‘it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose’ (Philippians 2:12b,13, NIV).

CLOSING PRAYER:

Thank You, Lord, that You have already given me salvation freely. May I offer my life continually to show my gratitude.

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