Living in the Spirit

October 21, 2021

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 7:23-28

Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. –Hebrews 7:23-25

I would love to know who wrote Hebrews and I would like to have met the person. Hebrews is a writing masterpiece. The first sentence in the above scripture is priceless. It is essentially saying that there are a lot of former priests because they are dead. Life is short for every human when compared to eternity. Our intercessor, our high priest, Christ, is eternal.

Having Christ ready and willing to intercede for us all the time and forever is remarkable, but what does intercede mean?

Merriam Webster defines intercede as to act between parties with a view to reconciling differences, to beg or plead in behalf of another.

The Greek word entygxánō, translated intercession above, is a little more complicated. The term intensifies the Greek word, tygxánō**, which means to obtain by hitting the mark. Missing the mark, translated from the Greek word, hamartanó**,  is one definition of sin. Christ intercedes for us as he meets us where we are missing the mark and, through his Grace, straightens our aim from missing the mark to hitting the mark. When I read the phrase hitting the mark, I envision someone aiming a bow and arrow aimed at a target several feet away with a bullseye in the middle. We must return to the master teacher and allow his grace and love to enable us to hit the target of our calling.*

We, too, are called to intercede for others whose paths we cross along the way. Christ’s grace is sufficient, but people must know about the Savior his grace. We are the ones sent to share that good news. We are also called to love like Jesus and thus plead on behalf of others who may be facing a crisis of faith, health, mental health, poverty, or loss. All life difficulties do not result from sin. As Jesus says, it rains on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45.) We serve Christ when we intercede in prayer and encourage others helping in any other way we can.

Prayer: God, we thank you for the gift of grace you brought us through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son Jesus the Christ. Thank you for straightening our aim at life’s challenges when we miss the mark. Make us repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in (Isaiah 58:12.) Amen.

*https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/intercede

**https://biblehub.com/greek/264.htm

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.