October 29, 2024

Today's Reading: Hebrews 7:23-28

Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 31:1-29; Matthew 19:16-30

Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Perhaps you have heard it said of someone, “That’s their life. It’s what they live for.” It could be a boyfriend or a girlfriend. It could be fishing, school, or sports. There’s just something about those things that seem to define who they are. 

When it comes to Jesus, what is that? You’re not going to believe this, but it’s you. The writer to the Hebrews tells us Jesus “always lives to make intercession” for you. That is why, as your High Priest with God, Jesus is able to save you “to the uttermost.”

You think your sins will finally damn you. Your sins lost that power over you when Jesus died for them on the cross. You think your sins are why God will finally forsake you someday. Your sins lost that power over you when Jesus died for them. You think your sins are why God and you are as close as the East is to the West. Your sins lost that power over you when Jesus died for them. And risen now from the dead, Jesus lives to keep it that way, for you.

In Confirmation class, you learned about Jesus’ humiliation, that He was “conceived… born… suffered… crucified, died and was buried.” You learned this was designed by God to save you “to the uttermost.” 

You also learned about Jesus’ exultation and that “He descended into Hell… rose again from the dead… ascended into heaven… sits at the right hand of God… (and) will come to judge the living and the dead.”  You were taught that this, too, was designed by God to save you “to the uttermost” (Romans 5:9-10). 

This is the promise God makes with you every day in your baptism. It’s the promise you hear in His Word. It’s the promise that is given to you at the Lord’s Supper, “for you, for the forgiveness of sins.” Yes, Jesus lives to save even you “to the uttermost.”

You ask, “How far can Jesus save a poor, miserable sinner like me?” The writer to the Hebrews gives you the answer. That’s His life. It’s what Jesus lives for. Jesus lives for you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

He lives triumphant from the grave; He lives eternally to save; He lives all glorious in the sky; He lives exalted there on high. He lives to silence all my fears; He lives to wipe away my tears; He lives to calm my troubled heart; He lives all blessings to impart.”  (LSB 461:2, 5)

-Rev. Bradley Drew, pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Metairie, LA.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Spend time reading and meditating on God’s Word throughout the Church Year with the Enduring Grace Journal. Includes scripture readings, prayers, prompts, and space for journaling. The Church Year Journal, Enduring Grace, now available from Concordia Publishing House.