Now in the things which we are saying the chief point is this:
Hebrews 8:1-2 ASV
WE HAVE SUCH A HIGH PRIEST, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.
We have such a high priest refers to our Lord whose character and office have already been shown to be so far above that of any other.
In human priests, if the most extravagant claims were admitted, it would yet be true that the dignity is only in the office, and not in the men.
But when we turn to the true High Priest, how different it is! Here is not only the glory of the office, but the glory of the Person, infinitely qualified in his deity to stand between the justice of God and the whole human race.
He is no mere dying man like an earthly high priest, but clothed with “the power of an endless life.
He was not made after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the oath of God himself, “a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
He hath not entered into the tabernacle made with hands, with the blood of bulls and goats, “but with his own blood he entered once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
He is not one among many, like earthly high priests, but is alone in his own single, unequaled majesty, “the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
He does not fill a delegated office, like earthly priests, but fulfills his own office, and that so perfectly that he “is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.
He needs not daily, as earthly priests, to seek forgiveness for his own sins, but is “holy, harmless, and undefiled, and separate from sinners.”
Hebrews 7:26-27 RSV
For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, unstained, separated from sinners, exalted above the heavens.
He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
He does not minister afar off from God, like earthly priests, but is already “made higher than the heavens,” and at the right hand of his Father pleads evermore for us.
He needs not to repeat his daily offerings, as earthly priests, but has made atonement, once, “when he offered up himself.”
He has no infirmity, like earthly priests, but is the Son of God, himself God, blessed forevermore – omnipotent, omnipresent, infinite!
Who perfect as he? and what wonder that, thus perfect, he should govern as well as atone? – not only priest, but King – nay, bearing on his head the triple crown of glory!
At this point, the author of Hebrews had overwhelmingly proved that any of the Jewish Christians, tempted to revert to Judaism, had received in such a high priest as Jesus far more than they had given up through renunciation of Judaism.
He does not stop here, however, but goes ahead with an analysis of certain other contrasts between Jesus and the Levitical high priest.
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever.
Consequently he is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:23-25 RSV
