Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 7:23-28.

 

“²³ The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, ²⁴ but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.  ²⁵ Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

 

²⁶ For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;  ²⁷ who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.  ²⁸ For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.”  Hebrews 7:23-28.

 

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Jesus is the perfect high priest.  He “continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently”.  Verse 24.  He is “holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens”.  Verse 26.  He “does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself”.  Verse 27.  He is the Son of God, appointed by God, “made perfect forever”.  Verse 28.

“Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”  Verse 25.

That seems like more than enough and a fitting conclusion.  But, Paul again emphasizes the weakness of the Law in contrast to the strength and perfection of Jesus who is able to save forever.  “For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.”  Verse 28. 

“For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.”  Hebrews 7:18-19.