The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews has been explaining why Jesus is the better High Priest.  He has done it by comparing Jesus to the mysterious Old Testament character Melchizedek.  Back in the book of Genesis Abraham has an encounter with Melchizedek after saving Lot.  All we know about Melchizedek is found in that brief encounter, but some deep spiritual truths are drawn out of an account we might normally overlook as minor and insignificant.  There are no insignificant details in the Bible.  Every word has something to tell us about God and ourselves.

The writer then goes on to tell us in today’s verse that Jesus is able to save everyone.  Is that really true?  Is Jesus really able to save everyone?  The answer to that question is, yes and no.  Let me explain.  It has to do with ability and authority.  Jesus is able to save everyone.  His sacrifice on the cross was perfect and therefore able to deal with penalty due all of humanity because of their sins.  Jesus is able to save everyone.

But He is not free to save everyone.  God the Father has established some conditions that must be met before Jesus is permitted to save them.  Those conditions are found in our verse for the day.  They must come to God.  This involves turning away from our sins and turning to God.  Even that is a gift from God through the influence of the Holy Spirit convicting us of sin and judgment.

The second condition that must be met is the manner in which they come to God; it must be through Jesus.  Jesus said the same thing in John 14:6. The only way to approach God in a way that pleases Him is through His Son Jesus.  Those are the only conditions; turn away from your old life and approach God through Jesus.  The gospel is not complicated.

The last part of this verse is especially encouraging.  We are told that Jesus lives forever to plead to God the Father on our behalf.  I sometimes wonder what that looks like.  God is outside time and space and so our concepts of these kinds of things cannot relate to what is actually happening in heaven right now.  But right at this moment Jesus is at the right hand of the Father and asking Him to act on my behalf.

Jesus never ceases to pray for us.  We are also told in Scripture that the Spirit also prays for us.  Have you ever stopped to dwell upon the thought that the entire Godhead is focused on you right now?  God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all thinking and talking about you right now.  Doesn’t that fill your heart with wonder?  Doesn’t it humble you to think about that?  Doesn’t it convict you about the times that you were allowing your mind or life to go where it shouldn’t?  God cares about us deeply and never ceases to think about us.  That should cause us to pause and praise Him.  Jesus, help me to hear the prayers You pray for me.

Read: Ezekiel 14:12-16:41; Hebrews 7:18-28; Psalm 106:1-12; Proverbs 27:4-6