Seated and Superior

Jesus’ sanctifying sacrifice leads us to worship because:

1. His sacrifice is complete (v. 1)

Explanation: The writer informs his audience that he has reached the main point of the message. This is not to say chapters 1 - 7 are unimportant or not relevant; rather they should be viewed as foundational. It was necessary to lay the proper groundwork so that the main point could be shared in an understandable way.

Illustrate: High rise buildings are not started on the ground. The foundations are laid deep below so that the structure will remain standing when it is built.

Building on the foundational truths of the earlier material, the writer can declare: we have a superior Savior in Christ! Jesus has been shown to be an Eternal HP of an entirely different category than the Levitical priests. Not only that, Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven.

Argument: The writer stated two powerful truths that captivated the attention of his listeners.

Jesus is seated:

In the entirety of the Tabernacle / Temple structure there is not a single chair. God made detailed provision for the lamp, for the table with the bread of His presence, for the wall coverings, and for the inner room that held the ark of the covenant. BUT not a single place to sit down.

The LP’s did not sit in the Tabernacle / Temple. Their work was never completed - there was always another sacrifice to be made. Not so with Jesus. He made the single offering of Himself and then He was seated!

John 19:30 “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

The phrase “it is finished” comes from a single Greek word which has the meaning of completion, of purpose being fulfilled. Jesus fulfilled His mission by means of being THE perfect sacrifice that satisfied the wrath of a Holy God against sin. Nothing else is needed, nothing else can be added. It IS finished, so Jesus is seated (cf. Eph. 1:20; Rev. 4:2)

It is possible the importance of these three words do not register with us, but they should. This statement has a tremendous impact for your life today and it should lead you to worship God with a thankful heart

Jesus is in the position of honor

Not only is Jesus seated, the location of his seat is important. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven! There are many, many Scriptures that demonstrate that having the seat at the right hand is a position of great honor.

Psalm 110:1 “The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.””

Luke 22:69 “But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.””

Acts 5:31 “God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.”

2. His sacrifice took place in the true tabernacle, not in the temporary one (v. 2- 5)

Explanation: The writer also demonstrates that Jesus’ ongoing ministry of intercession is taking place in the true tabernacle, the one situated in Heaven itself. The emphasis on the heavenly being true is NOT to imply the Tabernacle / Temple on earth was false. The contrast is to be seen as between the temporary and the permanent. In v. 5 note the writer describes the earthly tabernacle in which the LP’s served with the words copy and shadow. The Old Covenant system was never intended to be permanent!

Illustrate: What has more value - an original painting by Da Vinci or a Van Gogh or a copy? You can purchase a print copy of the Mona Lisa and hang it on your wall, but are people going to pay you money to come inside and view it?

In contrast, Jesus’ sacrifice entered “behind the curtain” and thus merits God’s satisfaction. His physical death on the Cross was in a physical location on the earth, but His ministry of intercession is in the heavenly places. It is of much more value than the shadow copies because it is permanent!

3. His sacrifice is superior (v. 6)

Explanation: The writer sums up his main point by declaring that the High Priestly Ministry of Jesus is superior to that of the Levitical priesthood. While the writer will continue to share specific ways in which Jesus’ sacrifice is superior to the Old Covenant in chapters 9 and 10, at this point he gives a brief summary.

Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry

Jesus is the mediator of a better covenant

Jesus has the better promises

Transition to the Table

It is a wonderful privilege for us to worship together at the Table as we reflect on the the superiority of Jesus. Hopefully, this study in Hebrews has increased your understanding of the perfect and complete nature of what Jesus has accomplished for His people.

If you are IN Christ, you have the righteousness of Jesus applied to your account, you are justified by your faith in the finished work of Christ and you are NOW at peace with God

Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Take a moment and reflect on your position before God. A growing understanding of the privilege that is ours through Christ should excite us, and it should humble us. We do not deserve our access to the Father, but in His grace He allows us in His presence and grants us peace.

Try to identify (it is difficult, but try) with those living before the Cross. Try to imagine the frustration they had as they dealt with the continuing feelings of guilt and anxiety in a process that was never over. The sacrifices of the LP had to be repeated again and again, yet they never brought anyone to a perfected state with a Holy God. This realization of what our HP has accomplished should flood our hearts and minds with gratitude!

In this time of Response you may want to come and praise Him and thank Him for His Awesomeness.

The writer has been continually warning against turning away from Jesus and returning to that which is inferior. As previously discussed, we aren’t in danger of going back to the Old Covenant system of sacrifice. It is, however, entirely possibly that some among us are “trying” to make things right with God through your own efforts. I say trying because that is all it is and ever will be: an attempt that will fail. If you are trying to do enough good works on your own in an attempt to earn God’s favor, please realize it is impossible. Instead of working and trying, surrender to the Lordship of Christ and receive His gift through faith in His finished work of redemption through the Cross.

Whatever your need, we have a Sufficient & Superior HP!

Prayer & Response Time

Worship through the Table