Thoughts From Hebrews 7

 23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.  Hebrews 7:23-25

             Have you ever said or heard it said, "I live for this." My wife would probably say that phrase when the grandkids spend the night and when they wake up at 7 (they have a clock in their room and aren't allowed to come down the stairs until it hits 7), they come on the back porch where she has her quiet time, and she does a morning Bible study or Q&A with them. Or maybe she would say it when our 2nd son who is in the ministry baptizes a grandchild in the ocean at our family vacation in Hilton Head. When might I say it? Maybe in the midst of a medical mission trip where scores of people are praying to receive Christ and I get to lead some of them in prayer after sharing the gospel. Or maybe it's as mundane as going fishing with my 3rd son at the crack of dawn and catching a 4 lb. large mouth bass.

          What do you think Jesus lives for? In chapter 7 which ties Genesis (2000BC) to Psalms (1000BC) to Hebrews (60AD) showing the continuity and harmony of the Bible, the author says Jesus lives to make intercession for us. What does that mean? We are at odds with God due to our sin or rebellion against Him. Jesus took that sin on Himself on the cross if we by faith believe this and then God's righteous anger against sin is appeased and He sees us as clean. Jesus' blood in effect, like the atonement cover on the Ark of the Covenant, covers over the broken commandments inside and God doesn't see the sins. We are then allowed into the Holy presence of God. Nothing makes Jesus happier. He lives to restore our relationship with God and usher us into His presence.

         This is taken to a whole "nother" level when we realize that Jesus' life had no beginning. He IS life. That means, before the beginning of time His mind and heart was for us and longing for us. Why? It's hard to fathom! My 2nd son's wife just had a baby. He loves to facetime with us and it's fun to see his love for the baby in his voice and eyes and laughter. This was evident long before the baby smiled or knew him. In fact, all it does is sleep, eat, spit up, pass gas, poop, and wake him up in the middle of the night crying. Where does all that love come from? Yet this baby could now be said to be "His life". He lives for this baby. This is how Jesus' love for us is. Do you believe that, or do you mock and curse and hate the name of Jesus? All He has ever done is reach out both hands in love for you and have them nailed to a tree.

          Stop rebelling or running away from Jesus and fall into His arms of love today.