The Consecrated & Eternal Priest, Hebrews 7:28 - 8:2
The Limitations of Man’s Frailty Showed The Limitation of The Law -For the law maketh men high priests - kayisthsin - Pres Act Ind - make, ordain, appoint, to set, place, put, to appoint one to administer an office,
which have infirmity; - asyeneian - weakness and frailty, feebleness of health or sickness of the soul.
The Contrast of The Old and New Covenants
Showed The Greatness of God’s Promise - but
the word of the oath, which was since the law,
The Contrast of Human Priests and Christ Shows
Christ’s Greatness -
maketh the Son, who is consecrated for
evermore. teteleiwmenon
- Pf Pass Ptc - make perfect, finish, consecrate, carry through completely,
accomplish, finish, bring to an end, complete, found perfect.
Heb 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Chapter 8 - The writer of Hebrews has spent seven chapters preparing the Jews for the truth regarding the superiority of the Better covenant (an absolute promise); A Better sanctuary (reality of true worship) and A Better sacrifice (absolute necessity)
The Greatness of Christ Shows The Limitless Character of His Priesthood - 8:1 "Now...this is the sum" - kefalaion chief, main point, the principal thing, the sum total of a teaching point, head. From kefalh meaning anything supreme, chief, prominent. It is used Of persons, master lord: of a husband in relation to his wife; Of Christ: the Lord of the husband and of the Church; and Of things: the corner stone
This is a pivotal and climatic point that Paul has reached in this letter to the Jewish believers. The words, this is the sum, refer to the principle of the chief point (crowning point, synopsis) of chapters 1-7: We have such an high priest.
We now have a High Priest that is pre-eminent, being the only High Priest that is set on the right hand of God. His full authority and finished work are realized in His position as the Son of God.
Christ does not sit in Jerusalem in accord with the directions of the Mosaic law, but in Heaven itself. It is His rightful place! His high priestly ministry is not earthly, because He now exercises all the prerogatives of deity! Cf. 1:3
Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. 1 Chron 29:11
His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him. Psalms 21:5
Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Psalms 45:3-4
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Psalms 104:1
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: Matt 25:31
His Limitless and Perfect Ministry is Eternal in Nature
8:2 "A minister of the sanctuary" - agiwn leitourgoV - true priestly ministry! One who has completely discharged His public office at his own expense. Christ completely fulfilled the obligations and commitments of His office as Priest - With great dignity, and certainly at His own expense.
He is the perfect minister of the place of refuge and has completed the ultimate object and ministry of the sanctuary - salvation. He has reconciled man to God. His ministry is continuous as our High Priest. He is continuously and faithfully discharging His duties as our Minister of the Sanctuary.
Heb 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
"And of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched and not man" - He ministers in the perfect and true tabernacle. Stressing the reality of this place of worship. The place where your prayers are heard, your pleas for help are heeded, and your sin confessed. He is always there, serving as a priest, having compassion on His people.
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
"Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things? Acts 7:48-50
Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;