Conclusion of Jesus' Public Service

Rendering public service under the Law was a real privilege for Israelite priests, but their service ceased to have any value when Israel was rejected because of unfaithfulness.  (Matthew 21:43)  Jehovah arranged for something far grander-the public service performed by Jesus, the great High Priest.  Concerning him, we read:  "He because of continuing  alive forever has his priesthood without any successors.  Consequently he is able also to save completely those who are approaching God through him, because he is always alive to plead for them." -Hebrews 7:24, 25.

Jesus continues as priest forever, without successors.  Thus, only he can save completely.  He performs that unparalleled public service, not in a man-made temple, but in the anti typical temple. Jehovah's great arrangement for worship that went into operation in 29 C.E.  Jesus now serves in the Most Holy of that temple, in heaven.  He is "a public servant [lei-tour-gos'] of the holy place and of the true tent, which Jehovah put up, and not man." (Hebrews 8:2; 9:11, 12) Lofty as Jesus' position is, he is still "a public servant."  He uses his high authority to give, not to take.  And such giving brings him joy.  It is par of "the joy that was set before him" and that strengthened him to endure throughout his course on earth. -Hebrews 12:2.

There is another aspect of Jesus' public service.   Paul wrote: "Jesus has obtained a more excellent public service, so that  he is also the mediator of a correspondingly better covenant, which has been legally established  upon better promises."  (Hebrews 8:6) Moses mediated the covenant that was the basis of Israel's relationship with Jehovah.  (Exodus 19:4, 5) Jesus mediated  a new covenant,  which made possible the birth of a new nation, "the Israel of God," composed of spirit-anointed Christians from many nations.  (Galatians 6:16; Hebrews 8:8, 13; Revelation 5:9, 10) What an excellent public service that was!  How happy we are to be acquainted with Jesus, a public servant whom we can render acceptable  worship to Jehovah! - John  14:6.

Next time: Christians Also Render Public Service

The Watchtower, 2000