The Hebrews had an intricate system, defined by God in the Law, for approaching God, for coming into his temple and for worshiping him. There was a series of sacrifices required to atone for their sins, sacrifices that were offered day after day, week after week, year after year. It was a gracious work of God to his people, giving them a means of atonement, a pattern for worship - a path to draw near to the Creator God, Yahweh the Lord of All.
But then along came Jesus. The writer of Hebrews devotes a lot of time in this book to explaining just how much better the atonement of Jesus is than the atonement of Moses. In today's reading, he describes how great a high priest Jesus is, making intercession for us at the right hand of God. Through this "better hope" (7:19) offered by Jesus Christ, we are able to "draw near to God. "
In fact, he makes a bold assertion in 7:22, one that is true, but would be found offensive by many Hebrews.
So Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.Jesus came to earth to establish a new covenant (the author quotes the section in Jeremiah 31 where the prophet describes the new covenant God is going to bring) in chapter 8. This new covenant is based not on a constant offering of sacrifices, but on one sacrifice offered for all time by Jesus Christ.
The blood of bulls and goats was a symbol of the salvation Jesus would bring, but Jesus brought the reality. Once for all time he offered himself as the sacrifice which fully and completely atoned for all our sins. Look at Hebrews 7:26-28.
For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do—first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all when He offered Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promise of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son, who has been perfected forever.
He was the perfect kind of priest, on who would completely redeem us through his death. The author sums it all up in 7:25.
Therefore, He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
Take time today to thank God that he saves us completely, totally and eternally through the gracious work of Jesus Christ. He does for us what the entire Old Testament sacrificial system could not do, he paid for our sins and purchased our futures.
Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul. Thank you, Lord, for making me whole. Thank you, Lord, for giving to me, thy great salvation so rich and free.
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