When the writer of Hebrews penned a “word of exhortation” (13:17") to believers about to face persecution, one aspect of the glories of the Son to be encouraged with is that we have a superior high priest. In becoming man, the son took on our frailty and faced weakness and temptation like us. And He, as our High Priest, by one sacrifice of His own body, makes perfect forever those who come to Him by faith. What’s more, he always lives to make intercession for us.
The writer of Hebrews pens this seventh statement about the glories of the Son in 1:2-3.
“(He) sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb 1:3).
Clearly, the finished character of the Son’s once-for-all sacrifice for sin (10:10, 12) is established. The right hand indicates the plan of honor that he occupies. It introduces the first of many quotations from and allusions to Psalm 110. It is the main text and basis for the book of Hebrews, which is a “word of exhortation” (13:17). The author says as much in his appeal in 8:1: “Now the main point in what is being said is this: we have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.” Read 10:12 and 12:2 for other references to the Messiah’s when “He entered the holy places once for all, having obtained eternal redemption” (9:12).
“Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession—Jesus” (3:1). Let us appropriate the truth Jesus’ role as our High Priest which fulfills Psalm 110:1-4.
Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope – and boldly approach God the Father, knowing that because of our High Priest, He will receive us with mercy and grace.
Pastor Kurt Seboe