Context No. 3937 of 4322 · Hebrews

Hebrews 7:23-28: in context

23Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death. 24But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable. 25Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them. 26For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27who doesn’t need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices daily, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself. 28For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son forever who has been perfected.

The writer of Hebrews contrasts the old priests, who died one after another and had to be replaced, with Jesus, who lives forever and so holds his priesthood permanently. And from this flows a glorious conclusion: he is able to save completely those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Two truths shine here. Christ's saving work is complete. He saves all the way, to the very end; there is no partial or unfinished salvation with him, for the one who saves us never dies and never leaves off his work. And he always lives to intercede for us. At this very moment, our risen high priest is praying for those who come to God through him; his intercession never lapses because his life never ends. This is deep security for the believer. Our salvation does not rest on a priest who might fail or die, but on the eternal, ever-living Christ, who saves completely and prays for us without ceasing.

Do I rest in the security of an eternal, ever-living high priest who saves completely and always lives to intercede for me, so that my salvation depends not on my own strength but on his unfailing life?

Sources

Hebrews 7:25: "He is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them."
Hebrews 7:24: "But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable."
Hebrews 7:27: "For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself."