Chapter Eight: To the Uttermost

Hebrews, as you may be realizing, is one of the sweetest books in the Bible. In the midst of challenging passages, dire warnings, and complex subjects, we read of the Messiah and His remarkable, self-sacrificing love for His people.

We come to chapter 7 of the book in which the author has been discussing at length the priestly work of Jesus. After working through the type of Melchizedek, the author of Hebrews brings out one of the remarkable blessings of the New Covenant: the intercession of the Perfect High Priest.

Ortlund remarks at the beginning of this chapter that we emphasize justification (being made right, or being accounted righteous) while neglecting Christ’s intercession.

A Brief Word about Justification and Intercession

Justification is an important doctrine, one that was spread abroad during the Protestant Reformation. It is only through God justifying sinners that we can be saved, adopted, brought into fellowship and communion with God in the first place. It is a vital doctrine, a life (think eternally) changing doctrine.

But that is not the only doctrine. It was not the only thing Christ did or does. We see justification and intercession in Hebrews 7:25.

I. The Difference Between Christ the Priest and All Others- 7:23-24

Notice the contrast between the priests of Israel and Jesus. There were a lot more of them, a lot (see Ezra for a brief list). Why? Because they always died. If you were a Levitical priest you had a 100% chance of dying (not that our chances are much better).

Jesus, that guarantor of a better covenant (7:22) is different. He holds His priesthood forever. There will never be a time in which Jesus is not our high priest. He lives forever.

This may seem to be a given, as in we all know Jesus is God and thus is eternal. But consider the greatness of this statement. He lives for ever! Because He lives forever, His work is thorough and His work continues.

II. The Thoroughness of Christ the Priest’s Work- 7:25

The author of Hebrews declares, “He is able to save to the uttermost.” The word uttermost comes from a phrase which, in every instance it is used, refers to a thoroughness.

When I was a manager at Walmart, I learned a valuable lesson about thoroughness. My store manager would walk through the departments I oversaw and would comment on the shelfs, cleanliness, stock, and all of those important things for a store.

I would think the area looked good, and then Robert would come and point out item after item that needed to be addressed. He was thorough in his walk throughs. I quickly found out how un-thorough I was.

But Christ’s work as our High Priest is thorough. With reference to our sins, He paid for all of them. With regards to our holiness, He deposited all of His into our account. Concerning our needs, He provides all things according to His riches. Concerning the length of our salvation, we are saved for all time. Christ’s work is thorough. He saves to the uttermost.

There is not one crevice in your life that, when you come to Christ, is left unclean and diluted. There is not one sinful thought, or word, or deed that is not washed away forever in the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. His work is thorough.

A few weeks ago I quoted from Ortlund’s book about our depravity. He writes, “We are aware of just the tip of the iceberg of our depravity.” (54) Though we are unaware of the majority of our sinfulness, Christ’s work is so thorough it covers it all.

When you submerge an electronic device into a bowl of water, the water goes into every crevice and cranny. Unless the device is designed to be submerged, it will be destroyed. Why? Because water is able to penetrate into the deepest points of the device.

Christ, being better, like water to an electrical device, purges every mar of sin in the human who comes to Him. Before we look at Christ’s continual work, let’s think of one more comparison between our high priest and theirs. Their high priest offered sacrifices for their sins. He could not do so in the future.

He also could not overcome their sin nature. It was, after all, a shadow and school master pointing us to Jesus (Gal. 3:24 and Col. 2:17). Our High Priest, engaging in His thorough work, cleanses us from each and every sin for all time.

Which leaves us to ask the same question the author of Hebrews asks, “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?” (Heb. 2:3)

III. The Continuance of Christ the Priest’s Work- 7:25

All of this brings us to the continuance of Christ the Priest’s work. That is, what is Christ doing right now at this very minute?

He “always lives.” Christ died once, and that is all. He was raised and will never taste death again. But what is He doing? The author of Hebrews tells us “he always lives to make intercession for them.” The them are those He has saved to the uttermost, those who have drawn near to God.

Ortlund gives us a very good definition of this word intercession. He writes, “In general terms it means that a third party comes between two others and makes a case to one on behalf of the the other.”

Christ goes to the Father on our behalf. But hasn’t Christ saved us to the uttermost? This raises the oft-asked question of, “If I asked for forgiveness and received it, why do I need to ask again?”

This is an understandable question, and one that you have found yourself asking. Ortlund does an excellent job of clearing up the confusion. He writes,

“The answer is that intercession applies what the atonement accomplished. Christ’s present heavenly intercession on our behalf is a reflection of the fullness and victory and completeness of his earthly work, not a reflection of anything lacking in his earthly work. The atonement accomplished our salvation; intercession is the moment-by-moment application of that atoning work.” (79)

Let’s branch this thought out a bit further. Christ is praying for you to His Father. His prayers are always answered, because His prayers are in perfect alignment with the Father’s. So, you are having a rough day, you are discouraged for whatever reason. Believer, Christ is interceding for you at that very moment.

Perhaps you are struggling against a particular sin. Christ is praying for your victory, for your growth in holiness and happiness. Or, you may be praying for a loved one or friend who is not a believer. Christ is praying for you.

We will conclude our time with a quote from Robert Murray M’Cheyne (154).