Hebrews 8:1-6: a reflection

1Now in the things which we are saying, the main point is this: we have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2a servant of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, not man. 3For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. 4For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law, 5who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned by God when he was about to make the tabernacle, for he said, “See, you shall make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain.” 6But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which on better promises has been given as law.

The writer to the Hebrews states the main point of his teaching about Christ: We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a servant of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched. We have a high priest, one who represents us before God; and this high priest is Christ, seated at God's right hand, ministering in the true, heavenly sanctuary, mediator of a better covenant. We are not without a representative before God; we have such a high priest.

Notice what we have in Christ our high priest: a representative before God, seated at his right hand. A high priest represented the people before God, bringing them near, offering on their behalf. And we have such a priest in Christ, but greater: seated at God's right hand, his own work finished, ministering in the true sanctuary in heaven, mediator of a better covenant on better promises. We are not left to approach God without a representative; Christ our high priest represents us before God, seated in the place of honor, having secured our access. We have such a high priest.

That is a great comfort, for it means we are not left to approach God on our own, without a representative. We can feel that we must come before God on our own merits, with no one to represent us, no assurance of access; but we have such a high priest in Christ, seated at God's right hand, representing us, having secured our access by his finished work. Do not imagine you must approach God alone, on your own merits; you have a great high priest, Christ, who represents you before God and has secured your access. Rest in having such a high priest, Christ seated at God's right hand, your representative before God, mediator of a better covenant; you do not come to God without a representative, but through Christ your high priest, who has secured your access and ministers for you in the true sanctuary in heaven.

Lord, the writer to the Hebrews states the main point of his teaching about Christ: we have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a servant of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched. I have a high priest, one who represents me before you; and this high priest is Christ, seated at your right hand, ministering in the true, heavenly sanctuary, mediator of a better covenant. I am not without a representative before you; I have such a high priest. Show me what I have in Christ my high priest: a representative before you, seated at your right hand. A high priest represented the people before you, bringing them near. And I have such a priest in Christ, but greater: seated at your right hand, his own work finished, ministering in the true sanctuary, mediator of a better covenant. I am not left to approach you without a representative; Christ represents me, having secured my access. That is a great comfort, for it means I am not left to approach you on my own, without a representative. I can feel that I must come before you on my own merits, with no one to represent me; but I have such a high priest in Christ, seated at your right hand, having secured my access by his finished work. Keep me from imagining I must approach you alone, on my own merits; I have a great high priest, Christ, who represents me. Help me rest in having such a high priest, Lord, my representative before you, through whom I come to you.