LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Two Glorious Ministries
When we review the Scriptures concerning the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ, we come across amazing facts. One of these is the twofold ministry of our Lord, performed both on earth and in heaven. The first is that of Savior, and the second is that of High Priest. The epistle to the Hebrews confirms this when it says: "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation" -here we have the Savior- and was declared by God to be a high priest after the order of Melchizedek" - here we have the High Priest (Heb. 5:9-10).
We know that the first ministry was fulfilled by the Lord on earth, having as its marvelous culmination the work of the cross, in which he offered himself as a substitute to die in our place, because of our sins. And when did he begin to be high priest? Hebrews says that there was a time when God declared to him: "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek" (5:6), a declaration made under oath, which gives it an even greater weight (Heb. 7:21).
God's salvation is so perfect that He not only provided a Lamb for the burnt offering, in our place, but also a priest to bring us into the Most Holy Place, and to intercede permanently for us. God's salvation was accomplished on the cross and beyond it, for it embraces the heavenly places, where the Lord Jesus Christ entered as our forerunner, and where today he intercedes for us at the right hand of God.
God knew that a solution for our sins was not enough, but that a solution for our weaknesses was also necessary. Not only a salvation for our past, but a salvation for our present. Not only a reconciliation with God, but an effective help, now that we are reconciled, for our walk on earth. This is a perfect salvation.
So when Christ concluded His work here and ascended into heaven, He began a new work, He took up a new ministry. Scripture suggests to us that in the same act in which God says to his Son: "Sit thou at my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool", he says to him: "Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek", for both passages are in the same Psalm 110:1 and 4.
When the Lord ascended to heaven He did not leave us alone. On the one hand, he sent us the Holy Spirit, "the other Comforter", who assists us from within ourselves; and we have Jesus as High Priest, who intercedes for us from heaven, in the highest place in the universe, at the side of Him who rules the world with a firm hand. What security we have in Christ! What comfort in our present pilgrimage!
We have the sovereignty of God on our behalf, with all His wondrous resources; the heavens hanging over our lot and destiny, over our struggles here and our safety, to reach the final goal. "If God be for us, who can be against us?". Truly, our Lord does not rest. Though He fully finished His work on the cross, He works on our behalf today, to secure our great salvation.