5 Understandable Words for Today

“Jesus has become the guarantee…”  Hebrews 7:22

In our discovery of Hebrew’s treasures, we were presented with a stern warning last week. The writer cautioned new Jewish believers about returning to old patterns of living, encouraging them to, “…take hold of the hope…” (6:18). It was the same hope God provided their patriarch, Abraham, when God told him, “I will surely bless you…” (6:14). The hope is a result of the faith which God had planted in Abraham's heart and was then invested in God's own faithfulness. This faith is described later in the letter to the young Hebrew converts. The new believers were further encouraged with the writer describing the hope as an anchor for the soul which holds firm and secure (6:19).

Jesus was described as the high priest in the order of Melchizedek Who entered the inner sanctuary behind death’s curtain (6:19-20). The description continues into the seventh chapter where we find today’s eternal promise.

The writer retells the story from Genesis 14, providing the meaning of Melchizedek, and describing as having no geneology – “…without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.”  (6:3) (v.7) The ‘greater’ person was proved, not on the basis of a regulation to ancestry, but on His power over death – having an indestructible life. (v.16) So, you see, Jesus is the guarantor and the guarantee of eternal life as the High Priest Who offered the final sacrifice (read v.’s 23-28). The writer describes Jesus, the High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek: “…one Who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.” (v.26) The very Jewish writer concludes this revelation of Jesus’ identity stating:

“For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, Who has been made perfect forever.” (v.28)

By referring to “the oath”, the writer is harkening back to David’s prophetic psalm when he described the resolution:

“The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever’” (Ps.110:4)

Why was such a declaration made by God? Because the former regulation was set aside, being weak – for the law made nothing perfect, which is why there was a need for a final, perfect sacrifice in the person of Jesus Christ, Who lived a sinless life. This sinless life qualified Him as the final sacrifice, taking on the sins of all those who come to Him by faith. In so doing, a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. (read v.’s 18-19)

O, how marvelous the way has been made for us to draw near to the Father… all because…  “Jesus has become the guarantee”!

Have you felt distant from God lately? Draw near to Him today with the guarantee of being received through The Son, Jesus Christ.

Blessings to all,

steve