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Pastor Nathaniel's Blog July 3, 2024
"Relying On Jesus as Our High Priest"
Can you rely on Jesus as your high priest? That may seem like a silly question, but in reality, it's a question every Christian is forced to answer for themselves every single day. The reason this question confronts each believer on a daily basis is because it forces us to consider what might be the basis of Jesus' high priesthood. Is Jesus our high priest all of the time, or only at certain times of need? What ensures that Jesus will continue to serve as high priest on our behalf? And how much can each of us count on Jesus' high priesthood to work FOR us rather than AGAINST us?
Thankfully, Hebrews 7:24 answers all of these concerns: "But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood" (NIV). In this small passage we are informed of two truths: one, Jesus lives forever; and two, Jesus has a permanent priesthood. This is fantastic news! Hebrews 7:24 very clearly addresses our aforementioned concerns: you can rely on Jesus as your high priest; Jesus will be your high priest at all times of need; Jesus' high priesthood is permanent, and you don't have to worry about it ending; and Jesus' high priesthood always works on your behalf! But the above translation can obscure some of the joy that we derive from Jesus' ongoing high priesthood.
The literal Greek of this passage states, "But this fellow [Jesus], because he is the one to remain into the age/eternity, is having the priesthood unpassing." I know it's an awkward translation, but it helps us understand the reliability that is going on in this passage. The word that I translate as "unpassing" can either apply to "the age/eternity" in which Jesus remains or to the kind of "priesthood" he forever possesses. It could mean that Jesus remains for all the ages without ever passing away. Or it could mean that Jesus, who remains for all the ages, has a priesthood that will never pass away. In either meaning we encounter the joyous truth: Jesus is the one who remains, which means Jesus ensures that he never passes away and that his priesthood does not fade or fail. The Jesus who loves us and uses his humanity to save and secure us is the same Jesus who, by his own divine-human person and self, makes sure his priesthood lasts as long as we need it - and longer!
Friends, you can take comfort in the knowledge that, by the reality and reliability of himself, Jesus assures us of his uncompromising love and priestly work on our behalf: that he remains, even when all other things do not.
God bless,
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
