October 6 | Hebrews 8:1-2

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DAILY READING

Hebrews 8:1-2

Exodus 33:7-11

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REFLECTION

Our Great High Priest

By Dave Mann

Today’s text states that Jesus is our High Priest.  What does a priest do?  A priest intercedes for the people before God.  In other words, he represents the people.  He speaks to God on behalf of the people. 

The text also declares that Jesus has sat down at the right-hand of the Father.  This point of doctrine is quite well attested in Scripture --

Matthew 26:64; Luke 22:69; Acts 2:33-34; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; 1 Peter 3:22.   Historically, the right-hand side of a king is the position of highest influence.  Normally, the person seated on the king’s right side has the greatest influence on his decisions.  The king will do what that person advises him to do.

As an aside, let me acknowledge that this image of Jesus seated at the righthand of God the Father sounds like it is in contradiction to the unity of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  But the doctrine of the Trinity not only asserts the unity of God, but it also designates the distinction of the three persons of the Godhead.  Enough on that for the moment.

Jesus is seated at the righthand of God the Father, interceding for us.  What is he praying for us?  He is praying that we remain in the very center of God’s will, that is, for our forgiveness and for the Spirit to guide us.

1 John 2:1-2 -- My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

The Spirit also intercedes for us. Romans 8:26-28 – “the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

Note that Jesus while still in the flesh in this world acted in accord with his eternal role of Intercessor. 

John 17 is called “The High Priestly Prayer” because Jesus is speaking in prayer for our benefit.  You might want to read the entire chapter to see what Jesus continues to pray for us now.  However, you can have confidence that you are included in this prayer by noting solely verse 20 -- "My prayer is not for them [the disciples] alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message."

Also, when Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane, he prayed for the will of God to be done in his mission – “...not my will but thine be done” (Luke 22:44).  Now, Jesus continues to pray ardently that the will of the Father be done in our lives.

I am inspired in my walk with the Lord that Jesus is continually praying for me.

PRAYER

Holy God, I am amazed that Jesus continues to pray to the Majesty of heaven on my behalf – that I know the forgiveness of my sins, that I remain in the center of the will of God, and that the Holy Spirit guide me each day, in Jesus’s name, Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of seven. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.