THE CURRENT MINISTRY OF JESUS

"Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens" (Heb 7:25-26, NKJV).

Devotion 7 of 11

MEDIATOR OF THE NEW COVENANT

The Lord Jesus Christ is presently mediating the new covenant. He is bringing the benefits of it to those who are joined to Him, ensuring they are worthy to enter the paradise of God. The new covenant has no advantages for us without a Mediator--One to bring the blessings to us; One to maintain our association with the God of the covenant! "And to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, thatspeaketh better things than that of Abel" (Heb 12:24).

A more excellent ministry

Christ's earthly ministry was marvelous. He went about "doing good," and "healing all that were oppressed of the devil" (Acts 10:38). His words were wonderful, and filled with power. But, it would bring no advantage to us to go back to those days. Jesus has now entered into a more excellent ministry. It is more effectual, and better in every way. "But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the Mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises" (Heb 8:6). Christ's present ministry is better than His former one! This is virtually unknown in the religious world. Satan has successfully distracted the church-world from Christ's "more excellent ministry" This is a ministry that excels every aspect of earthly life. In it, He is bringing "many sons to glory." Those supposing health, wealth, and favorable circumstances are the pinnacles of blessing, do greatly err. In His "more excellent ministry," Jesus has better things for you--things that require a mediating High Priest.

So we can receive the inheritance

Christ is presently ministering as a Mediator to qualify us for the coming inheritance. We have been called to receive a promised heritage, and it is great. Our reception of it, however, depends upon the current ministry of Jesus. "And for this cause He is the Mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance" (Heb 9:15).

Fellowship with the Son

Jesus currently has communion with His people. That is one of the great things He is doing. His fellowship is real, and it is effectual. There is no need to argue about whether He has ceased to interact with His people. Such postulates are evidence of unbelief, and must not be tolerated. Salvation, from this perspective, is a summons into active association with the Lord Jesus Christ. "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor 1:9). To be deficient in this area is to come short of God's objective for you. The value of this fellowship is seen in Paul's resolve to appropriate it at any cost. "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death" (Phil 3:10). Today, all who see what Paul saw, do what Paul did. It is really just that simple. Jesus' current ministry involves fellowship with His people!

-- TOMORROW: AUTHOR AND FINISHER --