Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:25
As we process a right perspective in the midst of testing, let us call to mind the mercies of the Lord and have hope! We have help! We are never left alone! These realities sometimes get lost in the press, yet are absolutely necessary for us to hold.
The book of Hebrews tells us Jesus has finished the “work” required and now continues to fulfil His role as high priest in offering up prayers for us enabling us to bear our ‘momentary light affliction’ and not fall away, which is always the potential in these moments.
Our verse from Hebrews sums up the reality of Jesus holding his priesthood permanently because he continues for ever. As such, HE and he alone is able to save to the uttermost. That salvation is complete and perfect, for any and all who first draw near to God through Him.
Many times in our circumstances we find ourselves wrestling through details as opposed to entering the rest we have been given because of the work and provision Jesus has made.
What is required of us is to draw near, believing, John 6:29. Hebrews 11:6. This believing will manifest itself in rest, peace, joy, contentment etc. It displays an absence of fear and anxiety. There is no striving present or our human attempts to control. The reality of Ps 46:10 ‘be still [NASB “stop striving”] and know I am God’ reminds us who is at work on our behalf.
So, the awareness that Jesus is seated above all, seeing and knowing, touched with the feelings of our infirmities, ever living to pray for us, well, that’s huge. To come with confidence, to the throne of grace, is the drawing near to God. We are met with mercy. There is an altar before His throne that is covered with the blood of Jesus that speaks a better word over us. Mercy cries out to us and over us. We are not perfected by our doings, but by Jesus’.
From Hebrews chapter two we find Jesus “a merciful and faithful high priest”. Remember all temptation testing is two fold, a proving of heart and mind, and a demonic strategy to destroy our confidence in a faithful and loving Father and NOT draw near.
It is Jesus, as the one who was tempted in every point as we are, who is able to give the strength needed to maintain our confession and resist the temptation to let go and fall back. Here’s a thought to ponder ~ is it our great faith, or is it actually the prayers of Jesus that saves us? However you answer that, our faith is to be in the one who has done the work and provided every blessing we lay claim to. It’s about Him. This is the whole book of Hebrews. The assurance of what Jesus has provided to sustain us in and through “momentary light afflictions” that are to work a greater weight of glory IF embraced righteously. In Him, we have a powerful incentive to preserve.
“For because He himself has suffered when tempted he is able to help those who are being tempted” Hebrews 2:19
Therefore Holy Brothers, we who share in a heavenly calling are exhorted, “consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession. The who was was faithful to Him who appointed Him”… and lift the hands that hang down, strengthen the knees, make straight paths for your feet and find the grace that is sufficient in the moment.