Verse by Verse

Hi. I'm David Johnson, and this is Verse by Verse, a short podcast all about exploring the insights and lessons of the inspired word of god. The verse we're considering today is found in the middle of one of the most profound and hopeful sections of scripture, the book of Hebrews. Anyone who reads the Bible will immediately recognize that Hebrews is unlike any other portion of scripture. By carefully examining the detailed rituals of the Old Testament, Hebrews provides a bridge between the religious practices of ancient Israel and the life Christians are called to live today.

Those who fail to carefully examine those ancient instructions are actually depriving themselves of a deeper understanding of the present work of Jesus Christ. Today's verse is a great example of this. Hebrews 8 verse 1. Now, this is the main point of the things we're saying. We have such a high priest who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in the heavens.

The author is obviously establishing his point based upon the section immediately preceding this passage. In Hebrews chapter 7, the author has one he was appointed by God to function in that office. No mere human could fulfill that role. The physical high priest in ancient Israel was simply a type of the role Jesus would fulfill. Toward the end of the previous chapter, we see two reasons why no human high priest could provide what mankind needs.

Let's get a little background. In the Tabernacle and later in the temple, there was an area known as the holy of holies and No one was allowed to enter that area except the high priest once each year Inside the holy of holies was a gold covered box called the ark of the covenant, containing the 2 stone tablets upon which God had written his ten commandments. On top of the ark were 2 golden carobs with their wings covering the top of the ark. The space on top of the ark and under the carob's wings was called the mercy seat and was symbolic of the throne of God, the place where sinful humanity could come to seek God's mercy and forgiveness. But sin separates us from God, so no sinful person could enter this holy place.

Once each year on the day of atonement, a sacred festival instituted by God, the high priest was allowed to enter the holy of holies and come before that mercy seat to seek forgiveness for the sins of all the people of Israel. There were several important steps the high priest had to take as he served on this day, and much of that is examined further in the book of Hebrews. First of all, before the high priest could enter this sacred place, he was required to offer a sacrifice to atone for his own sins. Once he had completed his duties on the Day of Atonement, he had to leave the holy of holies and could not enter again until the following year. His sin, like ours, separated him from the presence of God.

The author of Hebrews explains that Jesus was sinless and, therefore, had no need to bring a sacrifice to atone for his own sins. Likewise, unlike the physical high priest, once Jesus comes into the presence of God, he never has to leave. There is nothing to separate him from God. He always comes before God and intercedes for his people continually. The second point the author makes is that every human high priest will eventually die and be replaced by one of his physical descendants.

Since Jesus lives forever, he will never be replaced by another. With that in mind, the author assures us that we have such a high priest, one who's sinless and lives forever, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in the heavens. Actually, the word seated would probably be better understood as enthroned. Jesus is not simply sitting down beside God. He has been honored with a throne directly at the right hand of God on high, and it is from that throne that he carries out his high priestly functions for us.

While what Jesus did during his physical life, his sinlessness, his example, his teaching, his suffering and death in our behalf, his resurrection from the dead are all indescribably important to us, that's not all we need to know. He has not been sitting idly for the last 2000 years. He is actively on a throne of power at the right hand of God, leading, guiding, protecting, and preparing his true church. The book of Hebrews assures us that we have a powerful, loving, perfect high priest ready to help us obtain the mercy and strength we need no matter how challenging life may become.

Verse by Verse is a companion podcast to the daily bible verse blog, which you can find on the Life, Hope and Truth Learning Center. Check out the show notes for more.