“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”
Hebrews 8:1
Jesus Christ appeared on Earth as our Sin-bearer and now appears as our Heavenly High Priest at the Throne of God. As sinners, we needed a sacrifice; as Saints, we need a Priest. As the Lamb of God, we needed forgiveness from God; as the Great High Priest, we need fellowship with God.
Having Jesus as our Great High Priest in Heaven above is essential for us to live a holy life here on Earth. Day after day, it is so very important that we have our Heavenly Advocate pleading, mediating, and interceding on our behalf at the Throne of God. It is His Seated Presence at the Right Hand of God that confirms His Sacrifice at the Cross was indeed a Finished Work, and the Atonement in the Blood of Christ has been accepted by God. His Presence alone keeps us in all the benefits of the New Covenant, maintains our standing in Grace, and releases the ministering presence of the Holy Spirit into our hearts. In other words, we could not stand for a moment down here if Jesus were not living for us up there.
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (John 17:20–23)
In the Heavenly Sanctuary, our High Priest intercedes, advocates, and ministers for us in the Heavenly Holy of Holies while bearing our names like jewels on His mighty shoulders and near His heart. The Advocate perfectly renders the faith, love, obedience, and worship that we, as sinful humans, fail to give a Holy God. As our faithful High Priest, Jesus Christ burdens Himself with our sorrows and encourages us to follow Him in His life of total confidence in God. Jesus’ confidence and encouragement that He speaks into our hearts is the same confidence that our Advocate speaks on our behalf to the Father in Heaven. Through His Word, He teaches us to believe in Promises that never fail, and furnishes us with perfect forms of confession, prayer, and praise that is always pleasing and acceptable to God. By His intercessory priesthood, we are kept in continuous fellowship with God. This is the blessing, confidence, and comfort we have in Jesus Christ to have a faithful High Priest who makes Himself One with us so we can be one with God the Father.
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
Four things we need to remember:
1. Where to go: The Throne of Grace.
2. How to go: boldly and confidently.
3. Why to go: to obtain Mercy and find Grace.
4. When to go: in time of need, which for us means continually.
Be encouraged today brothers and sisters in Christ and confidently draw near to the Lord. Receive His Mercy and Grace today. Jesus Himself is praying with you and for you every moment of every day.
“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:24–26)
