April 19th, Sunday: Hebrews 7 - 8

Heb7

The writer begins to explain the better priesthood of Christ.

And it begins with the better order – the order of Melchizedek.

Jesus Christ is both King and Priest.

And His throne is a throne of grace.

As King He can control circumstances around you.

As Priest He can change attitudes within you.

You'll experience righteousness and peace as you yield to Him..

Because He's a priest forever, He saves forever.

'To the uttermost' means completely, perfectly.

You're secure as long as He lives.

And guess what – He lives forever.

And you can live by the power of His endless life because you're in Christ.

The perfect salvation should lead to a life of growing maturity.

An earthly priesthood can make nothing perfect.

Nor can the Law of God.

Or the sacrifices.

But Jesus can lead you into spiritual maturity as you walk by faith.

He invites you to come to His throne and He understands you better than you understand yourself.

Heb 8

Finality.

There were no chairs in the Jewish tabernacle or temple because the priests' work was never finished.

But Jesus finished the work of redemption and sat down on the throne.

It gives us cause to rejoice.

Reality.

The Jewish priest in the temple minister with copies and shadows, but Christ in heaven ministers in the original sanctuary from which the things on earth were copied.

When you trust Christ you enter a life of reality and you're forever finished with substitutes.

Another cause to rejoice.

Maturity.

The Law of Moses was given to the children of Israel as a tutor to help them grow up and be prepared for their Messiah's coming.

They were like children.

God had to take them by the hand and lead them.

But the new covenant with its heavenly priesthood leads us to spiritual maturity.

God puts His Word in our hearts and transforms our character.

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad!