QT 6/30/2026 Heb 7:23-28, Forgetting what is truly important and real

Hebrews 7:23–28 (ESV) —

23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, 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.

26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He 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. 28 For 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.

 

NOTE: I like the summary in verse 28. Jesus is greater and superior to the high priests of the Old Covenant, the law, for three reasons. One, He is the son of God, eternal and immortal, rose from the dead and never will die. The old system had 83 different high priests (Josephus's number) because human men die. Two, Jesus is the more recent appointment, because the previous high priests were weak and ineffective. Three, Jesus was appointed by God by an oath, which I don't think any previous High Priest could say (maybe Aaron or Samuel, but the word used is only "to call," not "to appoint"). And even if you might equate "call" with "appoint," none received an oath, only Jesus.

 

Jesus is an absolutely greater High Priest of a new covenant built on better promises (an oath, a relationship, an eternal future, an indwelling, adoption, and an inheritance).

 

As my country enters our 250th anniversary (a very short time among nations of the world), one can't help but notice the apathy toward the event. Some of that is because of the extreme political culture of our time. Some of it, is that we are spoiled by freedom and riches. We don't realize how great our country has become. Quite frankly, we have become fools. I think the same thing can happen with faith. When times are good, people forget God, and when times are bad, people turn to God. We don't realize what we have until it is gone ("they paved paradise and put up a parking lot"). I pray that would not be our spiritual result.

 

PONDER:

1. Do we realize how great a salvation we have in Jesus?
2. Do we treat with disdain or apathy the immense riches we have in Christ? Our seriousness is the measure of our real faith.

 

PRAYER: Father, it seems the churched move further away from real faith each year. We are satisfied with playing the game as long as life is comfortable, all the while destroying the marks of our faith, a changed life. Reveal to us our sins. Change our hearts. Pour out your grace again.