October 23
Bible Reading: Hebrews 7
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.”
The context of this verse has to do with the superiority of Jesus over the “former priests” (Hebrews 7:23)—the overall context of this section of the book (Hebrews 4:14-7:28). There were numerous former priests as they were prevented, by death, from continuing in office. By way of contrast, Jesus holds his priesthood permanently. His priesthood is forever (Hebrews 7:3; 13:8).
There is also, in this context, a glorious description of Jesus in His high priestly role. He is “holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens” (Hebrews 7:26). In each of these virtues, He was distinctly superior to his former counterparts. These characteristics likewise set Him apart from every other man and every other religious leader that has ever lived.
He is “holy.” The term has reference to that which is “religiously right, holy, as opposed to what is unrighteous or polluted” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary). Jesus is perfectly righteous in His person and ways. He is “innocent.” He “knew no sin” and “committed no son” (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22). He never thought a sinful thought, never did a sinful deed, and never uttered a sinful word. He is “unstained.” He walked amongst sinners, but was unstained by sin. He was “in every respect…tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
“He is like us, yet unlike us. He could mix and mingle with sinners, and they didn’t feel uncomfortable in HIs presence, but He was not one of them. His enemies accused Him of associating with publicans and sinners. He sure did, yet He wasn’t one of them. He was separated from sinners.”
J. Vernon McGee
He is “exalted above the heavens.” The former priests entered once a year into the holy of holies, but Jesus has “passed through the heavens” (Hebrews 4:14). The Risen Savior abides in heaven even now and “lives to make intercession” for those who draw near to God through Him (Hebrews 7:25).
What a Savior! It is He alone who is “able to save to the uttermost” (Hebrews 7:25). The term translated “uttermost” means either “forever” or “completely” (the Greek term used can mean both). The context leans towards the “forever” interpretation of the term, but the “complete” aspect of His salvation is implied here and mentioned elsewhere. The salvation provisioned by God through Christ to the believer is no half-hearted salvation. In every aspect, salvation has to do primarily with salvation from sin. It includes three aspects—justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is justification (i.e., salvation from the penalty of sin). The repeated sacrifices of the former priests were of limited value (Hebrews 9:13). By His “once-for-all” sacrifice, Christ has worked to secure an internal and eternal cleansing from sin (Hebrews 9:12, 14). There is sanctification (i.e., freedom from the practice of sin). By His sacrifice, the believer is cleansed “from dead works to serve the living God” (Hebrews 9:14). There is glorification (i.e., freedom from the presence of sin). The work of salvation is a miraculous thing. Something that man could never hope to devise or accomplish. We all need a Savior, and in Jesus, we have One who is preeminently qualified and able (Hebrews 7:25).
He is able to save to the uttermost! J. C. Ryle concluded a sermon on this text with the following invitation: “I would offer counsel, first, to all who are anxious and troubled respecting their soul’s salvation, and yet know not what to do…Say nothing about yourself but this, —that you are a sinner, a great sinner, a guilty sinner, a condemned sinner; but because you are a sinner, you turn to God. Come unto Him in the name of Jesus, saying, you have heard that through Jesus a sinner may come near Him. Tell Him that you are a sinner, a great sinner, and an unworthy one. But tell Him that you come in the faith of His promises, in the confidence of His own Bible invitation; and in the name of Jesus, and for the sake of Jesus, and on account of Jesus, you ask to be received, heard, pardoned, forgiven, and accepted. Tell Him that you wish to have your name—even that name of yours, connected hitherto with worldliness, thoughtlessness, carelessness, and sin added to the list of God’s dear children….”
J. C. Ryle
“What a wonderful redemption! Never can a mortal know. How my sin, though red as crimson, can be whiter than the snow.” – Thoro Harris
How great the salvation that saves in gloom
Of valley and shadow, that light up the tomb
With glory immortal, and shouts o’er the grave
The triumph of Jesus, the mighty to save!
LookingtoJesus 