I’ve been working as a student extern for the past three weeks, applying for my pharmacy tech license tomorrow. As a retired RN, I am enjoying this field. There are regulatory laws that oversee pharmacy practice. Each law was introduced to make the products or distribution of the drugs safer, guaranteeing effectiveness.

In this passage, the law was given to establish on earth, a heavenly perspective. When it came to developing perfect righteousness for mankind, however, the law failed and the priestly oath was established. For those instances when mankind was unable to keep the law, blood was shed (animal sacrifice) and through the authority of the priest it was offered as atonement for the person’s sin against God (sin is…missing His mark of perfection).

The sacrificial system was transformed when Jesus Christ the LORD came. He offered himself up once and for all as the perfect (sinless) sacrifice, shedding his own blood to atone for all our sin (past, present and future). He was also made (through the Father’s oath), a perfect priest, guaranteeing the new covenant agreement between God and man. (See Jeremiah 31 below).

His authority over my life is final. As much as “man-made” systems would like to thwart or skew God’s word, in the end He decides what is just and right. After all, He is our creator and the sustainer of life.

“He is able to save to the uttermost” (v.25). How? He always lives to intercede on our behalf. Wow!! Can you think of anything better than knowing the eternally perfect Son of God has taken you under His wing?

Our part is found in that same verse (25)…”draw near to God through him“. Without Jesus Christ the Lord, we have no safe passage to God the Father. He proclaims this requirement in the gospel of John (see below).

When I learn a new profession, I am not perfect. There is a learning curve. As humans, can we ever be perfect, spiritually? I heard a great song this week by Rachel Lampa (with Toby Mac) called “Perfectly Loved” . Perfectly Loved

Hope you enjoy! – Teresa

Hebrews 7:18-28English Standard Version

¹⁸ For on the one hand, a former commandment set aside because of its weakness and uselessness¹⁹ (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

²⁰ And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, ²¹ but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:

“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
‘You are a priest forever.’”

²² This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.

²³ The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, ²⁴ but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.²⁵ Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost^[a] those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

²⁶ For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. ²⁷ He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. ²⁸ For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

Jeremiah 31:33-34 (NET)

“But I will make a new covenant with the whole nation of Israel after I plant them back in the land,” says the Lord. “I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts and minds. I will be their God and they will be my people.34
“People will no longer need to teach their neighbors and relatives to know me. For all of them, from the least important to the most important, will know me,” says the Lord. “For I will forgive their sin and will no longer call to mind the wrong they have done.”

John 6:44-46 (NET)

44No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who hears and learns from the Father comes to me. 46 (Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God – he has seen the Father.)