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These words are a comfortable inference and conclusion, which our apostle draws from his presiding discourse concerning the eternity and unchangeableness of Christ's priesthood; seeing he lives for ever, he is therefore able to save to the uttermost, and that for ever.
Observe here, 1. The complete power and ability of Jesus Christ to save sinners asserted; He is able to save, and that to the uttermost: that is, completely and everlastingly.
Learn hence, That what ever difficulties lie in the way of salvation and whatever oppostiions do arise against it, either with respect to the guilt of sin, or the power and dominion of it, the Lord Jesus Christ is able, by virtue of his sacerdotal office, and in the exercise of it, to carry on the work through them all unto eternal perfection: Such is the dignity of his person, such is the sufficiency of his satisfaction, that he expiates the guilt of sin universally and perpetually.
Observe, 2. The character and description given of the persons whom Jesus Christ thus perfectly and eternally saves, Such as come unto God by him; those, all those, and only those, whom God will save, are such as come unto him for salvation by and through our Lord Jesus Christ as mediator. Oh how injurous then are they to their own souls, who sit down desponding, either under the guilt, or under the power of their sins, and conclude them either so great that they cannot be pardoned, or so strong that they can never be vanquished or overcome!
Observe, 3. the reason of this power and ability in Christ to save sinners to the uttermost assigned, and that is, the eternity of his priesthood, the perpetuity and prevalency of his intercession; Seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Here note, 1. The state and condition of Christ as an High Priest, he ever liveth. He is always living in heaven a threefold life.
1. The eternal life of God in his divine nature; this he liveth in himself.
2. A life of inconceivable glory in his human nature; this is a life which he liveth for himself.
3. A mediatory life in heaven; and this he lives for us.
Note, 2. What he doth as an High Priest in that state and condition: He maketh intercession for us.
Learn, That the Lord Jesus Christ ever liveth to make intercession with his Father in heaven, on the behalf of all penitent believers here on earth. We are not to conceive of Christ as an intercessor with his Father in heaven, in such and humble supplicating manner as when here upon earth, with knees bended down, and eyes lifted up to heaven, this is inconsistent with his glorified state. But it is such a pleading and petitioning with his Father as is in the nature of a claim and demand; and it is such a claim and demand made to his Father, as is accompanied with the presenting the memorials of his death unto him. Christ need not use his mouth to plead with his Father in heaven, the bare showing of his wounded body pleads prevalently and perpetually, and this intercession of Christ is a standing evidence of the continuance of his love and care, his pity and compassion to us. Blessed be God that our great High Priest, who suffered for us, ever liveth in heaven to make intercession for us.