Jesus Lives

Hebrews 7:23-25 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.
 
THIS may seem a very basic teaching. Likely (and hopefully) you rejoice to say, “I know that Jesus lives! Praise God!” But let’s consider to whom this letter was written.
First, the Jews needed to know the old priestly order was completed. Jesus is  the priest who will always reign in the new covenant. The great challenge of the gospel for the Jews is to accept Jesus as the eternal Son of God and High Priest who atones for sin.
    It was also very difficult for them to consider the Trinity, God in three persons. They were correctly taught as spoken in the first commandment: Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.” And in what is known as the Shema (shi ma’) – that means “hear”: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4) The doctrine of a God, who is three persons in One, seems blasphemous. The final condemnation of Jesus came when he declared he is the Son of Man, one from heaven’s throne. Indeed, this is impossible to comprehend from a human point of view. 1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. How then, will they know? How does anyone know Jesus is the Son of God who lives forever?
    The answer to Jesus is essentially Hebrews’ purpose. The writer has reviewed essentials of the law to show Jesus is greater than the prophets and the angels. He has quoted many Scriptures to teach God has identified his Messiah, so we can know the truth of Jesus.
Hebrews’ purpose was – and is – to purify all of our minds from the unbelievers, scoffers and false teachers. Instead, we are to focus on God’s law and the prophets to see the Christ. Mankind’s natural way is to misuse and neglect the Bible. The limited human mind pretends it is wiser than God’s limitless glory. We must be careful to keep Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood, as the filter through which we monitor all information.  
    God has worked through the ages to remove the “foolish stumbling block” of Jesus crucified, dead and buried. Walk, then, with wisdom through this obstacle. If we listen closely to God’s words throughout the Bible, then his knowledge will awaken us to his eternal truth.
Attentive listening requires the Spirit’s help. He is God’s power always present on the earth. He comes to indwell God’s own, so we will believe in God the Father, Son and Spirit.
The evidence is in Jesus, the Word. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. (John 11-4)