Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. ~Hebrews 7:25
I’m a grammar nerd. Hebrews tends to get wordy, and when sentences get wordy, the best way to navigate it to look for the verbs. As I study Greek this semester at seminary, I’m learning that Greek (the language this was originally written in two thousand years ago) is all about the verbs. The action words are where the language becomes a true work of art.
He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him.
The word “uttermost” is one we don’t hear much anymore. The Greek there doesn’t translate well into English. The word there means something like “perfect completion.” Permanently. Powerfully. Christ is able to save those who draw near to Him. As perfect and completely as 1+1 will always = 2.
Are you drawing near to God? It’s easy in theory: we talk about it in church and at Bible study. We know the “Sunday school” answers of daily quiet times and showing up to church on Sundays. But after a while, it can seem like just going through the motions.
What about prayer? 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says we are to pray constantly. If we grow closer to those we love through conversation and spending time with them, it would make sense that we do the same with God. Prayer is how we talk with God.
But constantly? I heard a pastor once say that constantly can also be described as “incessantly” like someone with a cough. It’s constant in the sense that it doesn’t go away, but it’s not unstopping; there are moments of calm between coughing spells. Constant prayer is like that. We may not actually spend every waking moment in prayer, but it’s a consistent habit that doesn’t go away. Like anyone with whom you have a relationship, you wouldn’t chat nonstop or you’d wear out yourself and your friend. But constant prayer is a constant availability.
He always lives to make intercession for them.
Always lives.
This was written a generation or so after Christ’s crucifixion. Christ is alive. He is still alive, always alive, always will be alive. He was alive at Creation (John 1); He is God and therefore is eternal. And right now, He is alive making intercession for us. What’s intercession? Our sins stain us, preventing us from being able to be in God’s presence. Intercession is when Christ stands in our place of judgment, taking our punishment for us. He is our defender, making us pure and clean before God.
What an amazing gift. Take some time today to pray and ponder the wonder of His amazing perfect salvation.