READ Hebrews 8

 Hebrews 8 begins with these words, “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum…” The word “sum” is the Greek word “kephalaion” which means it is the main point, or the principal thing.  Oliver B. Greene states the word sum could be rendered “chief point, principal or crowning feature”. 

 What is the chief point?  “…We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.” Hallelujah!  The author is telling us that the divine oath of Psalm 110:4 had been fulfilled, “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” This verse prophesied of the establishment of an eternal Melchizedekian priesthood, it was fulfilled in the priestly ministry of our Savior and in the lifetime of those to whom the Epistle to the Hebrews was written. 

Such a Priest is not a figment of wishful thinking or speculation.  He is now a reality.  He is the believer’s possession.  The waiting is over.  Jesus has risen and sits exalted on the right hand of God.  He has completed everything necessary for the atonement of the sins of the whole human race and has sat down in God’s heavenly sanctuary in the place of preference and blessing.  All of God’s favor and authority are His to command.  He does not stand or bow in the presence of God as a sinful priest must.  He is seated, because He is the Son, and His sacrifice is completed. 

Verse 2 reminds us, that Jesus is “A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.”  Although Jesus represents men who are upon the earth, He is not ministering in an earthly temple or tabernacle; He deals with spiritual realities in God’s heavenly abode.  Christ’s priestly service occurs in the Holy of Holies and the true (genuine) tabernacle.  This is not the tent which Israel pitched in the wilderness; it is a tabernacle which has been set up by the Lord Himself.  The contrast is between the earthly and the heavenly, the temporal and the eternal, the human and the divine, the external physical and the spiritually real.

 Thank God for the eternal ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

 1.  Who was Melchizedek?  Where is he first mentioned in the Bible?

2.  How is the ministry of Jesus and Melchizedek, different from the Old Testament Aaronic priests?

3.  Is Jesus’ priestly ministry real or is it symbolic?  Explain.

4.  How long will the priestly ministry of Jesus last? How does this impact you and me?