“We Have Such a High Priest!”

The main point to which the author’s discussion of Christ and His priesthood has been leading is reached in Hebrews 8:1-2: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of God in heaven. That high priest is Jesus Christ who is a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected and not man. The Levitical priests offered their gifts and sacrifices on earth in accordance with the law of Moses (8:3-4). That law with its priests and the sacrifices they continually offered could never make anyone perfect (7:19), but were only shadows pointing to Jesus Christ our Great High Priest and His once for all sacrifice which perfected forever those who trust in Him (10:1, 14). The earthly tabernacle where the Levitical priests served was itself a copy and shadow of the heavenly realities (8:5). The ministry that took place in that earthly tabernacle only pictured or pointed to the ministry Christ now has in heaven at God’s right hand. The Levitical priesthood and the priesthood after the order of Melchizedek were not important in themselves. Evidently, the main point of the first seven chapters of Hebrews is that we have a Great High Priest whose New Covenant ministry at God’s right hand has surpassed and replaced the Levitical priesthood and has fulfilled the typology presented in the priesthood of Melchizedek.
All this truth about Jesus and His high priestly ministry can be difficult to understand (5:11), but studying it is not just an academic exercise. The truths about Christ our high priest bring security and comfort to our lives. The writer says the main point is not simply that there is such a high Priest, but that we have such a High Priest! Do you have Christ as your High Priest? What a joy to know Him and rest in the truth that He not only died for us, but He ever lives to make intercession in the presence of God for us. Because of this we are eternally secure (7:25)!!!!