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The Gospel Truth
So, have you been to see your priest lately? That's a strange question for Baptists (and most other Protestants). Catholics have priests, Jews had priests, but we think we don't need one. We believe in the priesthood of the believer, a good doctrine which has been grossly abused by many of us. Let me tell you we desperately need a priest beyond ourselves. And, we have been given one. He was the first priest, he is the last priest, and he is the only priest we will ever need. Read Hebrews 7:23- 28. The writer of Hebrews was addressing first-century Jewish Christians who were leaving the church. They were second generation church members who had professed faith in a Christ they had never seen. They were dropping out because they were doubting and disbelieving that Jesus Christ was their true high priest. Most were planning a return to Judaism, to the synagogue, to the priests. In that religion, they thought, there was at least a human priest they could see and hear. So continuing the theme of Hebrews, chapter seven preaches that Jesus is better, or superior, than anything any other religion has to offer. In the preceding chapters, Jesus is portrayed as better than the prophets, better than the angels, better than Moses, better than religion. Now, we are reminded that he is better than any earthly priest. Jesus is the first priest, the last priest, the best priest, and the only priest you will ever need. Jesus is the priest you can see (vs. 23-24). The first priest mentioned in the Bible was a man named Melchizedek, a Hebrew name meaning "king of peace" (Genesis 14:18, Hebrews 5:6, 7:17). The last priest mentioned in the Bible is found in this book of Hebrews. The first priest never died (Hebrews 7:3) and the last priest died and rose again. Who is this first priest and last priest? He is none other than the lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, Jesus Christ is the only priest you will ever need. It is written in 1 Timothy 2:5, "For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." Colossians 2:9 says, "For in [Jesus] all the fullness of deity dwells in bodily form." At certain times in the Old Testament they could see him. At the fulness of times at the dawn of the New Testament they could see him. One day, we will all see him. Jesus is the God you can see, he is the high priest, and he is the first, last and only priest you will ever need. Why is this important? The original recipients of Hebrews couldn't see Jesus with their eyes. So they were leaving and going back to Jewish priests they could see. They were about to exchange the eternal for the temporary, what they could not see for what they could see, and it was going to be the biggest mistake of their lives. Human priests come and go. People come and go. Even Christians die. Do you know a believer who has gone on to be with the Lord? Will you see them again? Wait a minute, how will you see what you cannot see? It is called faith (Hebrews 11:1). If you have faith in Jesus it is because you have seen him (when you were saved), you see him now (if you are following him), and you will see him in the future (our hope of heaven). Jesus is the priest you can see! But you can only see him if you have saving faith. Jesus is the priest who can save (vs. 25). Since he is the only priest who can save, he is the only priest you will ever need. I have some power and ability. You have some power and ability. But none of us, nor any human priest, nor any earthly religion has the power and ability to save the soul. Only Jesus is able. And think carefully about what is he able to do, and what he has done. God could have sent to earth a fantastic farmer who could have eradicated all hunger. God could have sent to earth a powerful policeman who could have eradicated all crime. God could have sent to earth a superlative statesman who could have eradicated all war. He is able, but he did not. Instead he sent a priest, a mediator, a savior from the penalty of sin, our high priest Jesus Christ. So let us work to provide food for ourselves and others, let us work to obey the laws of the land and provide for penalties for those who do not, and let us work with other nations to promote peace. But when it comes to the salvation of the soul, our work will not do. Only his will. He is able to save. And by the way, his salvation when received is permanent. The present active language of the text and the presence of words like "forever" and "always" make that joyfully clear. Jesus Christ is the priest who you can see with eyes of faith when you draw near to him for eternal salvation. Can you see him? Has he saved you? Jesus is the priest who is separate (vs. 26-27a). The gospel is the person and work of Jesus Christ, and the Bible teaches that his work is based on his person. In other words, Christ could offer a perfect salvation if he were not a perfect person. And, as these verses declare, he is! Jesus is the priest who is "holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens" who is totally without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). Here is at least half the point. Human priests have human defects. They may help you, but they cannot save you. If Oprah, the high priestess of television, can help you, fine. But she cannot save you. If a pastor or friend or fellow employee can help you, fine. But we cannot save you. Self-help has its natural sinful limits as well. Perfect salvation can only be obtained through the work of a perfect person. His perfect sacrifice takes away our sins. That's another reason Jesus is the only priest you will ever need. But here is the rest of the story. If the Christ who is separate from sinners has saved you, you will be separate from sinners, too. His perfect righteousness makes you acceptable to God. And while on this earth you cannot be perfect, you can be righteous, holy, separate from the worldly lost people around you (2 Corinthians 5:17, 6:17; 1 John 2:3). So how can I be assured this priest is for me? Jesus is the priest who speaks (vs. 27b-28). Hebrews 1:1-2. "The oath" in vs. 28. This oath is the New Testament, it is the gospel, it is the way the work of this priest can be applied to your account. Jesus has taken an oath for you. Have you taken an oath for him? Are you trusting in your own works, the work of some human priest, or the person and work of the great high priest, Jesus Christ? Are you following him as closely now as in the past? Are you in danger of dropping out, like some of the first century professing Christians who were first warned by this text? It is not enough to have a half-hearted faith in him. That's what the original recipients of Hebrews had, and they were dropping out like flies. You must have a faith that sees him, knows him, trusts him, walks with him. It is not enough to have a lukewarm commitment to a religious organization. You must draw near to him, incorporate yourself in his service and in his body, the church. John Owen said, "Those who draw near are those who worship." It is not enough to believe he was perfectly righteous. You must have this perfect righteousness imputed to your account by grace through faith. It is a permanent transaction, that makes a marked a permanent difference in your life.
So the writer of Hebrews is speaking to you, as this pastor is today, with the words of our high priest. It is the oath, the gospel. You must answer with a fully devoted faith that sees, believes, worships, and serves the first, last, best and only priest you will ever need, the Lord Jesus Christ.
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