Abide

Read: Hebrews 8:1-6

The author of Hebrews makes a generalized summary statement in Hebrews 8:1 for what he had been arguing for in the previous chapter: Jesus is a high priest that sits at the right hand of God, the great Priest-King of the Christian faith. The author goes on to argue that the things used in worship on earth, such as the tabernacle and the offerings made by priests, were “copies” and “shadows” of things that are in heaven, and that the “true” things in heaven. He quotes from Exodus 25:40, where the Lord instructs Moses to make the tabernacle after the “pattern” which he had received from God. The author is arguing that Moses received a pattern of things in heaven from which the things on earth were modeled after. For this reason, the author argues that Jesus is more excellent than that of the priests under the Law of Moses because Jesus ministers in the heavenly places from which the earthly places were copied.

Jesus ministers in heaven as High Priest and as King, and for this reason there is no need for high priest or temple in the Christian faith. When Christians begin to minister then, the role of the Christian minister is not to be the high priest for someone else. Hebrews already established in Hebrews 4:16 and later talks about in Hebrews 10:19 that the believer can enter with confidence because of Jesus. Rather, the Christian ministry is a ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 talks about how God gave this ministry; calling is “ambassadors” of Christ. God wants Christians to point people not to themselves or a sacrificial system, rather point them to Jesus who is a very capable of being High Priest for all those who believe.

Lord, make my ministry to point others to your ministry!