When ancient Jews sinned, they went to the priests for cleansing and a restored relationship with God. Once they became Christians, they we’re cleansed and restored through Jesus. Yet some were tempted to return to the priests. In this section of Hebrews, the author argues for the superiority of Jesus’ priestly work over the Jewish priests.
Modern American Christians are not tempted to turn from Jesus to the ancient Israelite sacrificial system. But we are tempted to cope with our sins apart from Jesus’ priestly work.
- We justify ourselves.
- We compare ourselves to those who seem more sinful.
- We distract ourselves.
- We medicate ourselves.
- We blame others.
- We deny our sin altogether.
- We attempt to make up for our sin.
- We do penance, punishing ourselves for our sin.
But none of these coping strategies can cleanses or restores. Therefore many of us live with a
- dull ache of guilt
- panicky pang of shame
- lingering cloud of regret
- creeping fear of exposure
- frantic need to defend ourselves
- helpless frustration over continual sin
- constant dread of being found out
- inescapable conviction of the Holy Spirit
Only when we look honestly at our sin and embrace the discomfort it brings do we sense our need for a priest. Not a pastor. Not a friend. Not a mentor. Not a confidant. Not a counselor. Not a psychologist. Not a psychiatrist. A priest. One who can cleanse and restore us.
So before reading further, take a deep breath, and look at your sin honestly, embracing the discomfort it brings. Because I have good news.
Jesus is our Permanent Priest
23The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:23-25)
Ancient Jewish priests came and went, but Jesus is in office forever. Since he is a permanent priest, he offers permanent cleansing and restoration. “He is able to save to the uttermost” (forever). Furthermore, this means that he is forever interceding for his people. If you draw near to God through him, he is interceding for you as you read this. Yesterday he was interceding for you. Tomorrow he will be interceding for you.
Jesus is our Perfect Priest
26For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. (Hebrews 7:26-28)
Ancient Jewish priests were imperfect, needing to sacrifice for their own sins. Jesus is “holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners.” Since he is our perfect priest, he offers perfect cleansing and restoration.
Permanent and Perfect Promises
But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. (Hebrews 8:6)
Here is what Jesus’ permanent and perfect cleansing and restoration looks like:
1) Real Change
I will put my laws into their minds,
and write them on their hearts… (Hebrews 8:10b)
Self-justification, comparisons and distraction may sooth our guilty conscience for a moment, but will never change us. In Jesus we have the promise of real change. He injects his laws into our minds, changing the way we think. He writes them on our hearts, changing who we are, what we desire and the way we feel.
2) Acceptance
…and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people. (Hebrews 8:10c)
We often attempt to medicate our shame away or blame others for our sins because we’re afraid of being condemned. But when we draw near to God through Jesus we are promised acceptance. Like the prodigal son coming home after his rebellion, we find God running to embrace us. “Welcome home. I will be yours and you will be mine.”
3) A Clean Slate
For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
and I will remember their sins no more. (Hebrews 8:12)
Sin makes us dirty (unholy). Denial won’t cleanse us. Good deeds and penance won’t wash it away. But when we draw near to God through Jesus, we are promised mercy and complete forgiveness. He will never call our sins back to his memory.
So let’s look honestly at our sin and embrace the discomfort it brings. Let’s draw near to God through Jesus, our permanent and perfect priest, for permanent and perfect cleansing and restoration. As we do, we will be changed, accepted and completely forgiven.
