AP

Hebrews 7:23-25   Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives for ever, he has a permanent priesthood.  Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Many Jewish people who had become Christians were starting to have second thoughts about whether it was really a wise move to have embraced what the Apostles had declared about the Crucified, Risen and Ascended Jesus being their Promised Messiah.  Instead of seeing evidence around them of his promised Kingly reign, they were experiencing opposition, rejection and persecution!

The Author of Hebrews wants them to see the ‘Big Picture’ of their Scriptures, and to recognise that, by its very nature, the Levitical/Aaronic Priesthood had a ‘use by’ date because it involved finite, fallible human beings, whereas Jesus, on the other hand, brought a whole new and different perspective, but one that was foreshadowed, for example, in Psalm 110.  In these chapters (5-8), while warning theme strongly against the danger of ‘falling away’, he shows very astutely how Jesus has superseded the Aaronic priesthood with one that is ‘in the order of Melchizedek’ (5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:11, 17) in fulfilment of Psalm 110.  Jesus has done all that is necessary for our salvation.  He has done away with the whole priestly/sacrificial system of the Old Testament with its requirements and ritual.  Any other way of seeking to come to God apart from Jesus is weak and limited, and cannot but fail because it contains a human element; but Jesus is able to save completely (the Greek word is composed of ‘pan’ meaning ‘all’, and ‘teles’ meaning ‘entire, perfect’) those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

“Before the throne of God above I have a strong, a perfect plea: a Great High Priest, whose name is ‘Love’, who ever lives and pleads for me. … … Because the sinless Saviour died, my sinful soul is counted free, for God, the Just, is satisfied to look on him, and pardon me. … … One with my Lord, I cannot die, my soul is purchased by his blood, my life is safe with Christ on high, with Christ, my Saviour and my God” (Charitie Lees de Chenez).
– Bruce Christian