Articles
We HAVE Such a High Priest
We HAVE Such a High Priest
After 7 chapters of showing that what WE as disciples of Jesus have is BETTER than what was provided under Moses, the writer states: “ 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, a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man” (Heb. 8:1-2).
A High priest after the order of Melchizedek, one that abides his priesthood permanently, who offers the sacrifice of HIMSELF (and not an animal), offers it in the very presence of the Father in the TRUE tabernacle. Now such not only gives us assurance concerning our initial salvation and forgiveness, but also continued assurance as we serve Him but do so imperfectly! Hence John would comment: “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2). This was based on what John wrote earlier: “ but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:7-9).
It is on the basis of His priesthood and sacrifice that we “draw near … in full assurance of faith” and thus we ‘hold fast the confession of our hope to the end’ (Heb. 10:19-23). Let us sing again (and again) “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness….”
Hugh DeLong
