July 31, 2014
ETERNAL PARADISE ASSURED, BUT STILL IN DAILY NEED OF A SAVIOR
Hebrews 7:11–28
Bill Roberson
Central Truth
Jesus Christ is able to save completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity those who come to God through Him. He is always petitioning God, interceding with Him, and intervening for those who have placed their faith in Him.
Key Verse | Hebrews 7:25
Consequently, 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. (Hebrews 7:25)
Hebrews 7:11–28
Jesus Compared to Melchizedek
11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him,
“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”
18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
20 And it was not without an oath. 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.
23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost 1 7:25 That is, completely; or at all times those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
Dive Deeper | Hebrews 7:11–28
With a cry of "It is finished!," Christ secured my place in heaven.
So why does He still intercede for me before God? After all, God promises that through faith, entry into the great banquet hall of Paradise is guaranteed; it's a done deal.
In Amarillo, when I was 13 years old, my sister took me to a drive-in burger joint. As I sat in the car enjoying my burger, she suddenly pounced on me with the gospel. Resistant and rebellious, I rejected God's gracious offer of forgiveness. Fortunately for me, the imperishable seed had been planted, and I found I couldn't shake off the painful conviction that I was a sinner in desperate need of reconciliation with God.
One day, like a fleeing gazelle in the African Serengeti, I was chased down and devoured by the guilt I had not known prior to my encounter with Truth. With crushed spirit, I laid down my bike, fell to the ground, and cried out to God for forgiveness.
God promised that though my sins are like scarlet, He made them as white as snow.
He cast my sins into the deepest part of the ocean.
He removed my sins from me as far as the east is from the west.
He remembered my sins no more.
God was clear. I was completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity forgiven for my sin.
Since my sins are forgiven and Paradise is assured, why must Jesus constantly intercede for me?
My eternal security has indeed been settled. I will one day enter Paradise. But until that glorious day, I am commissioned to walk planet Earth, follow Jesus, fish for men, and make disciples in a hostile environment where sins fly like deadly arrows. I still need a savior every minute, every day.
I need His intercession and His intervention. Not to preserve my place in heaven, but to maintain fellowship with Him, connecting the small story of my life to the big story of His glorious purpose. Thank you, Jesus.
Discussion Questions
A good approach to reading and studying a passage of Scripture is to ask the following questions:
1. DISCOVERY: What does God say?
2. UNDERSTANDING: What does it mean?
3. APPLICATION: How can this affect my life?
These three questions are good for personal time with God in the Word and also when helping another person understand and apply scriptural truth. Furthermore, these questions form an excellent approach to leading a small group Bible study. First, pray that God would open your eyes to what He would like to say to you.
Another approach is to use the acrostic, SOAP.
Scripture
Observation
Application
Prayer
Simply read a passage of SCRIPTURE, write down some OBSERVATIONS, write down an APPLICATION, and finish with a PRAYER about what you have observed and intend to apply.
Blessings to you in your time with Him.