The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Now Appearing"
I recall seeing on Broadway in New York City the announcement of some notable actor or actress in the latest hit show: "Now appearing in…"
The Bible makes such an announcement of Another who performs His role not in venues of earthly entertainment, but…
"Into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" (Hebrews 9:24).
The writer of Hebrews speaks to the high priestly, mediatorial role of the Lord Jesus Christ for all who trust His Person and work as the our assurance of salvation. Indeed, in this moment, the Lord Jesus abides at the right of God as our eternal intercessor, assuring our eternal redemption and our access to His Father and our Father. The New Testament sounds and redounds with this glorious truth.
"There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (I Timothy 2:5).
"If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (I John 2:1).
"But this Man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:24-25).
"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Hebrews 9:12).
"Then said He, Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all…by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified" (Hebrews 10:9-10; 14).
"But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:12).
Now appearing in the presence of His Father for all who trust Him, the Lord Jesus assures and secures our salvation. We can also be sure His mediation on our part has powerful effect in our present lives as He seeks for us the administration and application of our Father's grace and truth. He ever lives to make intercession for us, first by His presence, and then by His pleadings on our behalf as our glorious Advocate.
Little wonder the writer of Hebrews exulted in "so great salvation" (Hebrews 2:3). How could he not when when proclaiming so great a Savior! The Christ who died for us now lives in us by His Spirit (Galatians 4:6). He also lives above as our High Priest, whereby His ongoing intercession for us powerfully impacts both now and forever in our hearts and lives. Long ago, Job spoke of our great need for such a one: "Neither is there any daysman (mediator) betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both" (Job 9:33). The New Testament speaks in this hour and forevermore of God's supply, provided through the greatness of His Son eternal mediation on our behalf. Yes, now appearing in the presence of God for us…
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
(Romans 5:1-2)
Weekly Memory Verse
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for He is faithful that promised."
(Hebrews 10:23)
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