Hebrews 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest… We have here two strikingly different representations of our Lord's heavenly state. In the one He is regarded as seated "on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty." In the other He is regarded as being, notwithstanding that session, "a minister of the sanctuary"; performing priestly functions there. Reigning He serves; serving He reigns. I. THE SEATED CHRIST. "We have a High Priest who" — to translate a little more closely — "has taken His seat on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens." If we translate the symbol into colder words, it means that deep repose, which, like the Divine rest after creation, is not for recuperation of exhausted powers, but is the sign of an accomplished purpose and achieved task, a share in the sovereignty of heaven, and the wielding of the energies of Deity — rest, royalty, and power belong now to the Man sitting at the right hand of the throne of God. II. THE SERVANT CHRIST. "A minister of the sanctuary," says my text. The glorified Christ is a ministering Christ. In us, on us, for us He works, in all the activities of His exalted repose, as truly and more mightily than He did when here lie helped the weaknesses and healed the sicknesses, and soothed the sorrows and supplied the wants, and washed the feet of a handful of poor men. He has gone up on high, but in His rest He works. He is on the throne, but in His royalty He serves. III. THE PRACTICAL LESSONS OF SUCH THOUGHTS AS THESE. They have a bearing on the three categories of past, present, future. 1. For the past a seal For what can be greater, what can afford a firmer foundation for us sinful men to rest our confidence upon than the death of which the recompense was that the Man who died sits on the throne of the universe? 2. A strength for the present. I know of nothing that is mighty enough to draw men's desires and fix solid reasonable thought and love upon that awful future, except the better that Christ is there. But with Christ in the heavens the heavens become the home of our hearts. See Christ, and He interprets, dwindles, and yet ennobles the world and life. 3. A prophecy for the future. There is the measure of the possibilities of human nature. (A. Maclaren, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; |
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