City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The Word

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 for ever. 25 Consequently he is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, 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; he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 Indeed, 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 for ever.

Hebrews 7:23-28

Reflection

Jesus is “[H]oly, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners…” (v. 26) In seeing Jesus’ holiness we can understand the goal of human holiness. Jesus was blameless; we should be blameless. Jesus was unstained; we should be unstained. And, Jesus was “separated from sinners.”

Jesus didn’t separate himself relationally or physically from sinners. He was friends with “tax collectors and sinners,” so much so that Jewish religious leaders criticized Him for it. Jesus’ separation from sinners was not physical or relational but ethical.

Religious people today make the same mistake the religious leaders then made.  They read 2 Corinthians 6:17, “Come out from them and be separate,” and immediately think that means they should not have relationships with non-Christians. But the very next phrase, “Touch no unclean thing . . .” clarifies that the reference is to personal conduct not personal connection. The religious separate themselves from sinners; the holy separate themselves from sin.   

Application

The priests of old were required to wash, clothe themselves in linen, and offer a sacrifice for themselves before they could function as an intermediary for other sinners. Jesus, who was connected to sinners relationally but separate from sinners ethically does not need to wash or make a sacrifice for Himself to be our high priest. He is perfect forever to atone for our sins.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being forever perfect so that we can be made holy. Amen.