Grace For Your Day October 3

In our studies in the Book of Hebrews, we have been talking about how Jesus is our priest. In fact, the word “priest” appears 36 times in the letter and is talked about in seven different places (chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10). However, the interesting thing about this doctrine is that, by all accounts, Jesus was a layman in His time on the earth. He performed no priestly functions while He was here because His priestly responsibilities are carried out primarily in Heaven. Hebrews 8:1-3 says:

When the author says “Now the main point . . . is this,” he is referring to the main point of the letter. This is what the Book of Hebrews is all about and that is that we have a high priest in heaven. Our Savior serves now in a true tabernacle that was made by God and not by the hand of man.  
What is He doing there? Several passages in the Bible tell us that:

• Jesus is seated at the Father’s right in Heaven (Hebrews 8:1) 
• He is ministering in the sanctuary there (Hebrews 8:2)
• He is making intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25)
• He is serving as our mediator (Hebrews 9:15)
• He is serving as our advocate (1 John 2:1)
• He is overseeing the church (Revelation 2:1-4)
• He is working with the Holy Spirit to send out the Gospel (Acts 1:1-2)
• He is preparing a home for us (John 14:1-3) 

Our passage for this week tells us why Jesus is doing all of these things for us. He is performing these tasks because Hebrews 8:6 says that He has “obtained a more excellent ministry.” The priesthood in Israel was a good ministry because they led the people in the worship of Yahweh. It was surely a blessed work because it helped them find a temporary relief from sin. However, Jesus’ ministry is “more excellent” because He does not just help us find temporary relief but a permanent one which is what we are going to talk about this week at Grace Fellowship Church.
 
Please join us as we study the first part of Hebrews 8 together. This passage is a wonderful reminder that, not only do we have a Savior from sin, but we have a Savior who is continually helping us. He is looking out for us every moment of the day so that there is no reason to be discouraged or lose hope. You can overcome whatever problems you are facing because you do not face them alone. Jesus is with you every step of the way.  

I look forward to exploring that topic with you in more detail on Sunday.

– Jeremy Cagle