The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. (ESV)

The writer of Hebrews starts with the basic idea that religion is access to God. Two things existed to make this access possible: First, the law. The thought behind the law was that as long as man faithfully observed the commandments, he was in a position that was right with God. But that perfection proved to be unattainable. Secondly, the priesthood emerged, where religious leaders built bridges between man and God by means of a sacrificial system. And priests, being human, all died and had to be replaced.

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There is no escaping the human estrangement from God that followed sin. God had put in a system to rectify this, but with Jesus, there was introduced a new and different priesthood and a new and effective sacrifice. We needed one that was complete and ongoing, and Jesus Christ was and is the only One who can open the way to God. Jesus is the bridge to a new and better relationship. A relationship that allows us to become a child of God.  The old relationship was based on law and obedience, while the new is based on love, the one-time death and resurrection of Jesus, and the everlasting and ongoing gift of grace.

So, when we begin our first day as a believer, we become a son or daughter of God. Jesus sacrificed once and for all on the cross to allow us to have a relationship with him. This one day is a day of celebration, a day to remember, a day to celebrate. But it's only the beginning. From that day forward we are seen by God as his child. But not just seen, known: we are, in reality and truth, a child of God.

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This dynamic mirrors a situation in life that you might have experienced or witnessed: adoption. If you’ve ever known someone who has adopted a child, it can be quite a journey. It’s a rollercoaster of emotional struggles, legal hurdles, and life-encompassing ups and downs. But when the day arrives and the adoption becomes official, it is indeed a day of celebration. A day to remember. But it’s only the beginning. From that day forward, that child is seen by that parent as their child. But the relationship is not just seen; that child is, in reality, the child of those parents forever.

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And so it is when we are adopted into the family of God. It is not a one-time deal. Being a child of God is ongoing. His grace continually rests on us. We don’t need to work to be part of the family. Because Jesus is eternal, everything about him is eternal. And in this case, his love and grace perpetually penetrate our lives day after day. It is because of Jesus and the cross that he keeps us in relationship. We just get to be. Be the child receiving the love from our Father today.

God, may I have the peace to know I am your child. My ups and downs, although important to you, do not separate me from your love. My sins and flaws do not separate me from you. My feelings and doubts do not separate me. Nothing can separate me from being your child. Nothing….Amen.