"For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" (Hebrews 9:24).
The High Priest who appears in the presence of God for us also bears a familial relationship to those who trust in His intercessory work.
"In all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people" (Hebrews 2:17).
"Go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God" (John 20:17).
Our Brother appears before our Father as the mediator who made atonement for our sins, and who now "ever liveth to make intercession for us" (Hebrews 7:25). One could almost say we benefit by a holy and spiritual nepotism, as it were, because salvation in Christ is a family matter. The everlasting Father sent His beloved Son into the world for the sublime purpose of not merely forgiving sinners, but of birthing sons and daughters into "the whole family of heaven and earth" (Ephesians 3:15). One beloved Son died and rose again in order "to bring many sons unto glory" (Hebrews 2:10). Moreover, as our brother, the Lord Jesus now sits at the right hand of God, interceding for us to a Father no less inclined to our benefit and well being than the Mediator who stretches out nail-scarred hands on our behalf. Add to this the blessed truth that the Holy Spirit "maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered," and the Triune security of our relationship with God establishes the strongest foundation possible for holy and godly living (Romans 8:26). We are secured and secure forevermore, and the more such grace, mercy, and truth fills our hearts and minds, the more we will live in a manner that honors and reflects the Family into which we were born again when we believed.
We conclude with the sublime prayer offered for us by our brotherly High Priest just before He went to the cross that made possible our eternal place at the family table of Heaven. May His request sink deeply into our hearts, and may the enormity and magnitude of such grace cause within us the determination to love our Father, our Brother, and the Holy Spirit who reveals the love of God in our hearts...
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. And the glory which thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me. Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world."
(John 17:20-24)
The High Priest who appears in the presence of God for us also bears a familial relationship to those who trust in His intercessory work.
"In all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people" (Hebrews 2:17).
"Go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God" (John 20:17).
Our Brother appears before our Father as the mediator who made atonement for our sins, and who now "ever liveth to make intercession for us" (Hebrews 7:25). One could almost say we benefit by a holy and spiritual nepotism, as it were, because salvation in Christ is a family matter. The everlasting Father sent His beloved Son into the world for the sublime purpose of not merely forgiving sinners, but of birthing sons and daughters into "the whole family of heaven and earth" (Ephesians 3:15). One beloved Son died and rose again in order "to bring many sons unto glory" (Hebrews 2:10). Moreover, as our brother, the Lord Jesus now sits at the right hand of God, interceding for us to a Father no less inclined to our benefit and well being than the Mediator who stretches out nail-scarred hands on our behalf. Add to this the blessed truth that the Holy Spirit "maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered," and the Triune security of our relationship with God establishes the strongest foundation possible for holy and godly living (Romans 8:26). We are secured and secure forevermore, and the more such grace, mercy, and truth fills our hearts and minds, the more we will live in a manner that honors and reflects the Family into which we were born again when we believed.
We conclude with the sublime prayer offered for us by our brotherly High Priest just before He went to the cross that made possible our eternal place at the family table of Heaven. May His request sink deeply into our hearts, and may the enormity and magnitude of such grace cause within us the determination to love our Father, our Brother, and the Holy Spirit who reveals the love of God in our hearts...
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. And the glory which thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me. Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world."
(John 17:20-24)
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