Thursday
Reading: Hebrews 7:11-28
SOAP: Hebrews 7:25
So he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
If the Levitical system practiced during Old Testament times had been enough to cleanse people from their sins and offer salvation, God would never have established a new system. His promise to bring about a better covenant showed how the rituals and sacrifices offered by the people and the priests were not meant to fully bring salvation. They were a model of what was to come.
Enter Jesus. A change in the priesthood meant a change in the law. We are no longer under the laws and requirements of the Old Testament because we are under a new priesthood in Christ. Christ is our High Priest. He alone can save us completely. He alone lives to intercede for us.
Jesus is eternal, unlike the human priests. Jesus does not have to continually do the work of cleansing and sacrifice: He offered Himself for us once and for all! We are fully saved—from every wrong, every sin, every evil thought—and eternally saved—nothing can separate us from God because our salvation is dependent on Christ, not ourselves.
The priests in the Old Testament would enter the sanctuary alone because they had been ritually cleansed from sin. Jesus brings us into God’s presence with Him. Because of Jesus, we can enjoy communication with God. We are cleansed and made complete because of His work.
Jesus, You alone can save. I am beyond thankful that You have gone before me and allow me to have access to the Father. I am astounded by the magnitude of Your work and Your sacrifice for me. I love You. Amen.