January 4, 2024 -- Hebrews 7:20-22 -- Jesus the High Priest We Can Count On

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~hear and obey Jesus!

For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:
  “The Lord has sworn
    and will not change his mind,
  ‘You are a priest forever.’”
22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
Hebrews 7:20-22 ESV

Jesus is the priest we can count on. Israel’s priests were given office based on descent from Aaron. Some priests we good in their offices, others were a train-wreck. Each priest’s office pointed to Jesus, the Perfect Priest. Jesus’ priesthood is given Him by oath from the Father in heaven. The Father’s word should have been sufficient, but our sin-darkened state means that we don’t often keep the oaths we make. The Father’s word is 100% sure and trustworthy. But stooping to our weakness so that we can trust what He has put into place, the LORD of Glory confirmed His Son’s priesthood with an oath.

Why does this matter? We have confidence to approach Jesus because He is trustworthy. He is priest by the Father’s oath and His own willingness to act as mediator between God and man. We can end our baseless, hopeless efforts at self-reliance. Jesus has seen every part of our lives, our bad and our worst, and He has been placed on the throne of heaven as our High Priest, the One Who lives to pray for us. What a glorious truth.

Trust Him. Pray. Thank God for Him. Confess your sins to Him. Walk in obedience and faithfulness to God the Father in the righteousness Christ has given you by His once-for-all sacrifice and do so in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit Who is the gift from heaven so that you can know Jesus, Who with the Father and the Spirit is forever blessed.

Great are You, LORD, and worthy of honour, and glory, and praise. Who is like You, Jesus, the Savior of the world, the rescuer of sinners?! There is none like You! Spirit of all Comfort, Help of the helpless, come and rule our hearts for Jesus’ sake and to complete in us His saving work. God of all healing, draw us close and daily closer to Yourself, so that knowing You more perfectly we will walk in the joy of Your salvation. Amen.

https://youtu.be/cY6k2QhdCn0?si=ppTf_d3VROMCraqg “How Firm a Foundation”

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