Always And Forever

There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 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.

Hebrews 7:23-25

The writer of Hebrews makes the case that the high priest of the old system, a human, was able to effect only a temporary and partial salvation. The priest himself had sins that had to be atoned for before he could then offer the prescribed sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. Because the blood was that of goats and bulls and could not make eternal atonement, the ritual had to be repeated daily. A second problem was that no priest could serve permanently because he would die and be replaced. So the old system was a placeholder, waiting for the eternal High Priest and the eternal sacrifice to appear and bring a complete and eternal salvation.

That is the point of the discussion when the writer inserts this wonderful promise. Jesus, the real High Priest, has neither of the weaknesses of the old system. Because he has no sins of his own to atone for, he can pour out his whole life for our sins. It costs that High Priest a whole life to pay for all our sins, but he can save once and for always. And because he lives forever, his priesthood has the power of his indestructible life. He is a priest forever and can save completely.

He is the High Priest, and also the sacrifice. He offered himself. The perfect Priest offered the perfect sacrifice and now lives forever in the Father’s presence, making unending intercession on our behalf. Jesus is our Advocate in the throne room, and his work on our behalf is without intermission.

Jesus, thank you for being my eternal High Priest as well as the complete sacrifice for my sins. I rest in the fact that you are always interceding for me in the power of your indestructible eternal life.

In his life, Christ is an example, showing us how to live; in his death, he is a sacrifice, satisfying for our sins; in his resurrection, a conqueror; in his ascension, a king; in his intercession, a high priest.

Martin Luther(1483–1546), German theologian and reformer