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 8 of 11 Author and Finisher

Everything in the Kingdom starts with Jesus and ends with Jesus. Nothing is started by Him and finished by man. Nor, indeed, is acceptable work started by man and finished by Christ. It is true that some people conceive of Jesus as having started the work, returning to heaven, and then becoming inactive. But they are wrong--seriously wrong! Jesus is currently finishing what He has begun! "Looking unto Jesus the AUTHOR AND FINISHER of our faith . . ." (Heb 12:2). "Saying, I am ALPHA AND OMEGA, the FIRST AND LAST . . ." (Rev 1:11). "And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the FIRST AND THE LAST" (Rev 1:17). "And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the FIRST AND THE LAST, which was dead, and is alive" (Rev 2:8). "And he said unto me, It is done. I am ALPHA AND OMEGA, the BEGINNING AND THE END I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely" (Rev 21:6). "I am ALPHA AND OMEGA, the BEGINNING AND THE END, the FIRST AND THE LAST" (Rev 22:13). It is difficult to conceive of anything being any more clear. He started the work in us by washing us from our sins and making us kings and priests unto our God (Rev 1:5-6). He is now completing that work, working in us those things that are well pleasing in His sight (Heb 13:21). If Jesus does not complete the work, it will not be finished! No person, however knowledgeable and disciplined, can finish the race that has been set before him without Christ. The work may begin, but it will not end without the direct involvement of Jesus. There is far too much emphasis today upon beginning, and not enough upon ending. Many have been told of the Author of salvation, but precious few are being told of its Finisher! This condition is unacceptable and inexcuseable. Whether we speak of creation, Israel under the Old Covent, or those under the New Covenant, the Divine emphasis has always been on the completion, never the initiation--the culimination, not the inception. To get any other emphasis, men must take it upon themselves to distort the Word of the Living God.

Now appearing for us

What Jesus is doing NOW is critical to our salvation. He is presently ensuring our survival of the world's demise--and it is coming down! He is also guaranteeing the safe arrival in glory of all trusting ones. It is for US that He now appears before the Father, constantly reminding Him of our acceptance, providing required resources to us, and marshaling the host of heaven for our welfare. "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" (Heb 9:24). When the Father sees the Son, He thinks of us, and is disposed to provide what we require to gain heaven. Were it not for "us," Jesus would not now be appearing in God's presence. By saying "appear," the Spirit accentuates a divine purpose. Jesus is not simply in heaven, He is appearing in heaven! The Father now confronts a glorified Man, and He is glad to do so in anticipation of the "many brethren" that will soon be there also. Christ's presence there is securing God's favor--for us.

-- TOMORROW: GOD IS ONE! --