Jesus Is Our Surety
Hebrews 7:22 applied to Jesus as our Surety with God
“By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.”
Hebrews 7:22
Introduction:
- This morning we studied the judgment seat of Christ, for it is the horrible and certain end of all men.
- But tonight I want to remind you of our glorious Mediator and Surety with God, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The DEFINITION
- Surety. A person who undertakes some specific responsibility on behalf of another who remains primarily liable; one who makes himself liable for the default or miscarriage of another, or for the performance of some act on his part (e.g. payment of a debt, appearance in court for trial, etc.).
- We have surety bonds, performance bonds, bail, and bond to guarantee legal, financial, and professional obligations, such as with construction and insurance companies.
- When we need to borrow more than our credit allows, we appreciate a surety; if we were arrested for something, we would appreciate the surety bond that lets us go free.
- Judah became a surety for Benjamin to his father Jacob (Gen 43:8-10; 44:30-34; 42:37).
- Aaron became a surety for Israel in their sins and stood between them (Num 16:41-48).
The SURETISHIP
- Jesus, a High Priest after the order of Melchisedec, was made the Surety of His people.
- God chose Jesus from among the people to be the mighty Surety (Psalm 89:19).
- He was made Surety by God’s oath at His ordination as our Priest (Heb 7:21).
- Jesus did the will of God perfectly as our Surety for our salvation (Heb 10:5-14).
- Being a surety means paying debts and performing, where the needy cannot pay or do.
- The wages of sin is death, which God’s justice pays; but Jesus died (Rom 6:23).
- Only the undefiled enter heaven, so He lived faultlessly for us (Jude 1:24-25).
- Jesus was necessary as a surety, for the justice of God must surely be paid (Rom 3:26).
- He is the Testator, for it was by His death that He put the covenant in force (Heb 9:15).
- We see Him under the strain of the Surety engagement in Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-44).
- No man in heaven or earth could approach the throne, but only our Surety (Rev 5:1-14).
- If this is not a Surety, successfully finishing His work, what is it (Isaiah 53:4-12)?
- The doctrine of representation by the Second Adam reveals our Surety (Rom 5:15-19).
- The Lord Jesus tasted death for every one of His children to deliver them (Heb 2:9-17).
- How else can we look at the Book of Life, but as the list of His Surety engagements!
The BENEFITS
- The Lord Jesus fulfilled the righteousness of the law on our behalf (Rom 8:3-4), so that we are righteous in God’s sight with His perfect obedience (Eph 5:25-27; Col 1:21-22).
- The Lord Jesus paid the penalty for sins by His death for us (I Pet 2:24), so that there are no more sins against our charge when we stand before Him (John 1:29; Heb 9:28).
- He lives to make sure we are absolutely, completely, and eternally saved (Heb 7:25).
- There is an abundant entrance into heaven waiting for the children of God (II Pet 1:11).
- Since Jesus is our Surety, it is impossible for God to withhold blessings (Romans 8:32).
- His death reconciled us to God, but He still lives to be an eternal Surety (Romans 5:10).
The APPLICATION
- There is no fear in the proper knowledge of Christ Jesus our Saviour (II Timothy 1:12).
- The LORD will show us His secret and covenant, if we fear and seek Him (Ps 25:14).
- We must learn to trust Him. He has done it; He is in heaven for us; He will receive us.
- It is simple: “Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed” (Rom 9:33; 10:8-11).
- A woman was healed and had her faith commended, when it was weak (Mark 5:25-34).
- Those who lack faith and assurance, I ask how many minutes you spend seeking Him.
- And you should consider long and seriously His faithful words “no wise” in John 6:37.
- We should seek and receive the benefits of the covenant in our hearts (Eph 3:14-19).
- Let us bring forth the fruit of righteousness with far-sighted vision (II Peter 1:9-11).
Conclusion:
- The Lord’s supper is a memorial feast of our Surety’s covenant death for us (I Corinthians 11:23-26).
- Let us partake of the Lord’s supper tonight with the joy that His suretiship should put in our hearts.