Intercession

For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance. [Hebrews 6.10-12]

I hesitate to begin to try to expound upon what has been presented to us here in Hebrews. The Spirit of God within me "gets it" (I sense the excitement inside) but I find my mind at somewhat a loss how to respond...

The context of what is said here is all-important. It begins with the writer of Hebrews explaining Jesus as High Priest (starting in 4.14). The discussion proceeds in chapter 5 to explain how Jesus filled the role of High Priest.

Chapter 5, verse 7 offers particular insight into what Jesus did as High Priest here on earth:

While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. [Hebrews 5.7]

But then the writer of Hebrews shifts to a somewhat disturbing tone scolding his readers that they are immature in understanding these things (about Jesus being High Priest like Melchizedek):

There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. [Hebrews 5.11]

This is just the beginning of the scolding. The writer goes on in verses 5.12 - 6.8 to continue his case against those who should be more mature.

But then, in 6.9, the author of Hebrews takes a shift in tone:

Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. [Hebrews 6.9]

And then, in 6.10-12 (our beginning passage above) something very interesting is laid out for us. Hebrews' author indicates that his readers may in fact "get it" about Jesus the High Priest. How does he know they "get it?" Because they were working hard for God, showing their love for Him by caring for others ...following the example of those who will inherit God's promises because of their faith and endurance (can you say "Jesus?).

And we must remember then (once again), what the same context records as Jesus' defining work in chapter 5 verse 7:

While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. [Hebrews 5.7]

Jesus' primary example to us was His work and commitment in prayer!

We are never more like Jesus than when we are pleading to God on behalf of others!

Father, help us to intercede with the faithfulness and dedication of Jesus!