Hebrew 7:23-28

15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek
appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to
his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is
declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” 18 The former
regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made
nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
22Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them
from continuing in office; 24but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent
priesthood. 25Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God
through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.  26Such a high
priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners,
exalted above the heavens. 27Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to
offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the
people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28For 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.

MEDITATION
1. The word “priest” in Latin is pontifex, which means “bridge builder”.  There
is an impassable gulf separating us from God.  Jesus Christ, being our High
Priest, is the bridge builder from humans to God.
2. What does this permanent priesthood mean to us?  It is God’s promise to us
that, through Jesus’ resurrection and His role as the High Priest, God’s plan
for our salvation is complete and “a better hope is introduced, by which we
are drawn near to God” (v19).  Note the phrase “save completely” (v25),
which means that we are not only saved by Jesus from punishment for our
sins, but also from sin’s insidious control of our thoughts and actions daily.
Jesus is the source of our forgiveness of sin and renewal of life.  All we need
is to come to this perfect High priest in faith, and be “convinced that he is
able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day”(2Tim 1:12).
3.  Visualize the image of Jesus as my “priest – the bridge builder”.  Where do
I see myself, God, and Jesus in that picture?  How does that make me feel?
Share this feeling and thought with Jesus.

Personal Note:
What makes me able to pray and come to God?  I find that people just think that we can approach God whenever and wherever we want.  On our own, we can do nothing to be connected to God.  God initiates the relationship with us through sacrificing His one and only son.  In order to cleanse from sin, sacrifice is required.

I feel that I am grateful for what God did in my life.  I desire to see people experiencing the freedom and peace from the forgiveness of sins.