High Priest Forever

God has spoken clearly and decisively in His Son, the same Word by which God created life and the ages . The  Gospel of John  begins by identifying Jesus as the ‘ Logos ’ (λογος), the “ Word ” through which God made all things. This theme is prominent in John’s Gospel. It builds on traditional ideas from the Hebrew Bible about God creating the world through His spoken Word. Jesus Christ is the Living Expression of that Divine word - (“ By the word of the LORD were the heavens made… ” - Psalm 33:6-9. Compare John 1:1-4).

Since the Word became flesh, the Divine Glory has been manifested in Jesus of Nazareth and all who follow him behold it – John 1:14. Jesus is the  Logos in the  Gospel of John , the “ Word become flesh ” in whom the “ Glory of God ” resides. He is the True Tabernacle foreshadowed by the Tent carried by Israel in the wilderness where the Glory of Yahweh was manifested in impressive but limited ways. The Crucified Messiah is the true and full manifestation of the Glory of the Living God.

After urging believers to enter God’s “ rest ,” Hebrews provides an eloquent description of the powerful Word of God and returns to the subject of the priesthood “ after the order of Melchizedek .” Believers must strive to enter His “ rest ” while the opportunity remains - “ TODAY, hearken to His voice .” In contrast, Ancient Israel refused to believe the words of God and suffered the consequences. In the final analysis, no one will escape from His penetrating Word.

God has spoken His definitive word in His Son. All previous words given by the prophets were preparatory, promissory, and partial . The Letter to the Hebrews encourages us not to abandon Jesus when difficult times come. It does so by emphasizing the superiority of what God has done in His “ Son .” The Word “ spoken ” in Jesus is superior to the earlier revelations provided “ to the fathers in the prophets .” The Letter compares the Levitical system with its incomplete rituals to the “ better ” priesthood and “ once for all ” sacrifice of the “ Son ,” Jesus Christ.