HOW JESUS CHRIST CAN HELP US

"A Public Servant"

In heaven, then, Jesus would be a public servant for mankind.  He would do a work like that done by Israel's high priest in behalf of God's worshipers in ancient times.  And what was that work?   Paul explains:  "Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; wherefore it was necessary for this one  [the ascended Jesus Christ] also to have something to offer." -Hebrews 8:3.

Jesus had something to offer that was far superior to what the ancient high priest offered.  "If the blood of goats and of bulls" could bring a measure of spiritual cleanness to ancient Israel, "how much more [would] the blood of Christ . . . cleanse our consciences from dead works that we may render sacred service to the living God?" -Hebrews 9:13, 14.

Jesus is an outstanding public servant, too, because he has been granted immorality.  In ancient Israel "many had to become priests in succession because of being prevented by death from continuing  as such."  But what about Jesus?  Paul writes:  "He . . . has  his priesthood without any successors.  Consequently he is able to save completely those who are approaching God through him, because he is always alive to plead for them."  (Hebrews 7:23-25; Romans 6:9)  Yes, we have at God's right hand in heaven a public servant who 'is always alive to plead for  us.' Just think what that means for us now!

When Jesus was on earth, people flocked to him for help, and they sometimes traveled great distances to avail themselves of his assistance.  (Matthew 4:24, 25)  In heaven, Jesus is readily accessible to people of all nations.  From  his heavenly vantage point, he is always available as a public servant.

Next time:  What Sort of High Priest Is Jesus?

Watchtower, 2000