Daily Readings and Thought for December 1st. “HE IS ABLE TO SAVE TO THE UTTERMOST”
Our ch. 7 in Hebrews highlights, the historic role of Melchizedek who is described as “priest of the Most High God” to whom “Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything.” [v.1,2; see Gen. 22 v.17] He is described as “resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. [v.3]
The chapter proceeds to describe how Jesus is comparable to Melchizedek – and not the priests of “the Levitical priesthood.”[v.11]. Psalm 110 v.4 is quoted in v.17, declaring that Jesus would be “a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”[v.20]. We are invited to recognise that “the law made nothing perfect” [v.19], so old commandment was being “set aside because of its weakness and uselessness” [v.18] and a new order was being introduced. The writer (Paul?) was stressing this to his Jewish (Hebrew) readers, this was vital for them to understand.
Jesus “holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.” [v.24] Because of this, “he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” [v.25].
Christian’ organisations which set up systems of ‘priests’ are blind to what God’s word is revealing here. All those who fully accept and believe God’s word learn to “draw near to God through” Jesus for “he is able to save to the uttermost.” We must meditate on the wonder and reality of this! Then, one day, how soon (?) the “Son who has been made perfect forever” will make those who fully believe and trust in him “perfect forever.” [v.28]
