Hebrews 8:1-6
1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer. 4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.
Our High Priest is at the right hand of God’s majesty in heaven. He is the minister of the true place of worship, not on a throne in the earthly temple, but in the very presence of God in the realm of His rule. This temple is not built by men, not by our skill or wisdom or might, but by God Himself in holiness and absolute sovereignty. What our Priest offers is the new covenant God made with man in the God-man, Jesus Christ. We therefore are not like Levitical priests serving the mere shadow and shape of the heavenly sanctuary in Jerusalem with the outward rituals, but we serve Him from a changed heart by grace through having the one true High Priest who ever intercedes for us in heaven. This is the most excellent ministry, His ministry which is of His promise by faith that He gives and of the mediation of our sin, the perfect sacrifice once for all accomplished so no further ongoing sacrifice ever need be made. That is our High Priest, High and lifted up, who has justified us.
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