The High Priest that We Have

Last night I was preaching at the rehab center again and I began a series going through Romans chapter 8. In the middle of it, I was on a sidetrack and was talking about how Jesus is our substitution and our high priest. I told them, if you want to sum up the book of Hebrews in one word, it would have to be JESUS. Jesus is better than everything. He is better than angels, Melchizedek, the Old Testament sacrificial system, etc. I hope you find encouragement in that which I was truly encouraged by.

Hebrews 7:26-28 26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.

We have a high priest who is exalted above the heavens (v.26). But listen, we have this exalted priest. Auctor (the respective name for the author of Hebrews which is NOT Paul) goes on to say that he does not need daily, to offer up sacrifices like all the other priests. WHY?

Well because all the other priests had to offer sacrifices not only for the sins of the people but for their own sins as well. But Jesus made an atonement for all sin once and for all when he offered himself on the cross as the spotless and perfect sacrifice.

Now hear 8:1, Auctor says, Hebrews 8:1 "Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens." Do you hear that?

Read it again: Hebrews 8:1 "Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens."

Auctor is saying that this is the main point (lit. the "top" or the "head") of what we are saying, "WE" have a high priest. Do you hear the personal relationship intended here? Do you see the intimacy? Do you grasp the reality that WE as believers have a high priest.

This is not just any ordinary Levitical high priest. No, this is one who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.

Our priest has:

(1) Sat down because His atoning work is finished. Remember when Jesus said on the cross, "It is finished" (John 19:30; Gk. tetelestai) which means that the debt has been paid in full. It was a past action with ongoing ramifications. The effects are still going on.

(2) We have a high priest who sat down at the right hand. The right hand was a place of superiority. It was a place of prominence. When you wanted to bless your children in the ancient world, you brought them to your right side and placed your right hand upon them. The right hand symbolized superiority.

(3) Jesus said down at the right hand (notice this) of the Majesty in the heavens. Jesus sat down at the most prominent place in the presence of the Majestic King of kings - Yahweh Himself. Jesus Christ has entered into heaven itself to intercede on our behalf.

This is worthy of contemplation. This is worthy of marveling. This is worthy of a deep and fervent bowing of our hearts before this great High Priest who intercedes for us, namely, the Lord Jesus Christ.