SURETY

An unlimited warranty! Today, we are acquainted with manufacturers of goods providing warranties for their products. Much is made of these guarantees, but all of them are limited by a period of time and a range of cover.

Not so with our Saviour! He is the unique ‘surety’, the guarantor, the warranty, of full and eternal salvation. Much has been taught in this epistle concerning the superior nature of our Great High Priest. Superior because the High Priesthood of Jesus is after the order of Melchisedec. It is eternal. It is ‘for ever’, whereas the Aaronic order was only temporary. This contrast is further expanded in our verses. The major difference here is that the Aaronic order of priesthood was not inaugurated by an oath. The priesthood was a matter of inheritance. In contrast, we read ‘The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec’. Why should this ‘for ever’ priesthood need to be confirmed by Almighty God taking an oath? After all, He is, ‘God, that cannot lie’, Titus 1. 2. Surely His word is sufficient? Yes, of course it is! In chapter 6, God confirmed His covenant with Abraham by an oath. Knowing that men require an oath when making an important agreement, He has confirmed His promise with an oath, that by, ‘two immutable things’, His word and His oath, He might give men the assurance that His word is true. This is spoken of as, ‘strong consolation’, or encouragement. In our passage, God is encouraging us to appreciate that we have been brought into a ‘better covenant’. We have been brought into New Covenant relationship with God! This is superior to any other covenants. It is eternal, unchanging, it’s ours and it’s guaranteed! Are we in need of encouragement today? Well, God has provided us with double assurance - His word and His oath. What more can He do? He has guaranteed His promise unconditionally and irrevocably - in His own Son! Notice that it is, ‘Jesus’, the blessed Man of Calvary, who is the Guarantor. He has met God’s righteous demands at Calvary. He lives in the power of an endless life. He is the guarantee of our great and eternal salvation. Doesn’t that give us, ‘strong consolation’, today?