Works of John Bunyan – The Greatness of The Soul, And Unspeakableness 0f the Loss Thereof; Christ A Complete Savior.158

 

by Thomas Sadler, oil on canvas, 1684

THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST, AND WHO ARE PRIVILEGED IN IT.

'Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him because he always lives to intercede for them..'—HEBREWS 7:25.

The apostle, in this chapter, presents us with two things: the greatness of the person and of the priesthood of our Lord Jesus.

First, He presents us with the greatness of his person, in that he preferreth him before Abraham, who is the father of us all; yea, in that he preferreth him before Melchisedec, who was above Abraham, and blessed him who had the promises.

Second, As to his priesthood, he shows the greatness of that, in that he was made a priest not by the law of a carnal commandment but by the power of an endless life. Not without, but with an oath, by him that said, 'The Lord sware, and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchisedec'; wherefore, 'this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.' Now my text is drawn from this conclusion, namely, that Christ abideth a priest continually. 'Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that comes unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.' In the words, I take notice of four things: FIRST, Of the intercession of Christ—He maketh intercession. SECOND, Of the benefit of his intercession—'Wherefore he can save to the uttermost,' &c. THIRD, We have also here set before us the persons interested in this intercession of Christ—And they are those 'that come unto God by him.' Fourth, We have here the certainty of their reaping this benefit by him, to wit, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them—'Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.