If it is a great comfort to know people pray for you, how much more should it comfort us to know that the Son of God intercedes for us!
In Hebrews 7, the author continues his thoughts on Christ as a better high priest after the order of Melchizedek. Now, we know very little about Melchizedek. He was some sort of priest-king figure in the Old Testament that received tithes of war spoils from Abraham. The author of Hebrews points to him as the line from which Jesus comes, for Christ came not from the tribe of Levi.
Under the Mosaic law, the priests all came through the lineage of Levi, the son of Jacob. Yet, Jesus Christ as the greatest and final priest came from the lineage of Judah (Heb. 7:14), the kingly line (see Gen. 49:10).
The Lord Jesus did not follow along with the established pattern, in order that a distinction be made.
There is now a new covenant with better promises and a better priesthood. Christ’s priesthood continues forever (Heb. 7:24) for He continues forever. As such, there is no upgrade to Jesus. He is the final high priest having performed his own once-and-for-all-time sacrifice of Himself.
What should encourage us greatly today in light of these realities is that they are not merely historical truths, but they are part of our present experience! Christ’s priesthood was not reserved for the first century, but His priesthood is still in place just the same in the 21st century! Nothing has changed, for He has not changed.
Now, not only does Jesus continue in His priesthood forever, but the benefits of this priesthood are far greater:
“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 those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:22-25).
The Lord Jesus is able to save to the uttermost, to the very greatest extent—completely. This is due to His faithful intercession for us.
What an encouragement to know that Christ Jesus is praying for us!
This last week, I hurt my neck badly, and I know the saints from my church were praying for me which was such a comfort. Yet, how much greater is it to know that not only do I have the prayers of my fellow believers on behalf of my physical maladies, but to know that my Savior is in constant intercession for my spirit!
I consider even the testimony of Jesus’ prayers for Peter:
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32).
The Lord Jesus knew before Peter denied Him that he would do so. Yet, He prayed for him throughout the process. Peter fell, but not beyond grace. Christ sustained him, even in his darkest hour—all because He prayed for him.
The reason we remain faithful to Him is because He is first faithful to us. Our persevering in faith is a direct byproduct of His faithful intercession for us.
I love the portrayal of this reality in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. In the House of the Interpreter, he likens Christ to a man throwing oil on a fire:
“This is Christ, who, with the oil of grace, continually maintains the work already begun in the heart. The grace He supplies ignites the soul of His people like a roaring fire that, despite the devil’s best efforts, will never be extinguished. This is a difficult concept for man to understand—that even when we are tempted, Christ is doing all the work by supplying the grace we need to stand firm.”[1]
At times we may go through hardships or even feel abandoned but let us not lose sight of the fact that our names are announced before the throne in glory.
He is faithful. He loves us. He cares for us (see 1 Pet. 5:7). He will sustain us till the end. He will hold us fast. He will save and He will surely save to the uttermost.
[1] Alan Vermilye, The Pilgrim’s Progress: A Readable Modern-Day Version of John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, (Brown Chair Books, 2020), 47).
Uplifting piece with informative historical context.