基督现今的工作
希伯来书七章22至28节
22既是起誓立的，耶稣就作了更美之约的中保。
23那些成为祭司的，数目本来多，是因为有死阻隔，不能长久。
24这位既是永远常存的，他祭司的职任就长久不更换。
25凡靠着他进到神面前的人，他都能拯救到底；因为他是长远活着，替他们祈求。
26像这样圣洁、无邪恶、无玷污、远离罪人、高过诸天的大祭司，原是与我们合宜的。
27他不像那些大祭司，每日必须先为自己的罪，后为百姓的罪献祭；因为他只一次将自己献上，就把这事成全了。
28律法本是立软弱的人为大祭司；但在律法以后起誓的话，是立儿子为大祭司，乃是成全到永远的。
信息分享
这是希伯来书其中一段最安慰人心的经文。当我们深深地明白到自己是罪人的那一刻，我们便同时知道必需要有一位代表，在神面前为我们代求。
接着，当我们决志跟随主，走上信仰的路途，我们便又深深地体会到，我们每天都极需要基督的扶持与引导。我们开始明白，我们不仅需要基督以往为我们所成就的救恩，我们还需要祂每天的帮助。
如今升到天上的基督，仍然不住地为我们在神面前代求。请再读第25节。这段经文没有细述基督怎样为我们代求，不过，我们可以从另一两处经文的描述，来领会这里的意思。
请翻到路加福音二十二章31至32节。基督何时为彼得祈求？是在撒但试探彼得之前。祂为彼得代求些甚么？是叫他不至于失了信心。换言之，基督是在彼得被撒但攻击之前，便为他代求，求神保守他站立得稳。
此外，约翰福音十七章15节；约翰壹书二章1节和犹大书24节，均提及基督为我们代求的事实。不管我们是否知道自己需要神的帮助，但基督却早已知道，并已经在神面前为我们代求。因着基督的代求，当我们真正面对试探的那一刻，我们便有力量来到神的面前，亲自祈求神的救助。
经文也没有告诉我们，基督是用默祷的方式或开声为我们祷告。我们只知道，作大祭司的亚伦进入至圣所之后，就不发一言：他是透过献上赎罪祭，来为百姓代求。
最后，我们要记着，如今为我们代求的大祭司，是深知道我们的软弱，并经历过人间种种试探的基督。而且，基督将永远承担这项工作，直至祂再来的日子；这对信徒来说，不是很大的安慰吗？
反思：
基督在十架上被扎的五个伤口，它们所流出的宝血，为我们作出了最有力的代求。
THE PRESENT MINISTRY OF CHRIST
Hebrews 7:22-28
22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.
23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.
24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
25 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.
26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;
27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.
Message
This is one of the most encouraging chapters in this book. When we first realise our position as a sinner, we realise also our need of one who can stand before God on our behalf.
Then as we go on as a Christian, we realise how much we need the continuing ministry of that same person to help us day by day. We begin to understand not only what Christ has done for us but also what he is doing for us now.
His present ministry is one of intercession for us before God's throne. Read verse 25 again. Exactly how he does this is not fully revealed but one or two other references in the Bible will help us greatly.
Turn to Luke 22:31-32. When had Christ prayed for Peter and the other disciples? Before the temptation came to them. What had he asked? That their faith might not fail. He prayed for them before the attack by Satan came.
Other references which you could study are John 17:15; 1 John 2:1 and Jude 24. Whether we know our need or not he is helping us by his intercession for us. This work will only be completed when we ourselves stand before God's throne.
Is his work silent or does he speak? We are not told. Aaron the high priest never uttered a word in the Holy of Holies. He let the blood speak for him.
Remember this work is done by one who knows our weaknesses and our temptations. Christ's work will continue as long as the need remains. Isn't that encouraging?
Thought:
'Five bleeding wounds he bears received on Calvary
They pour effectual prayers and strongly plead for me.'