City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

¹ Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, ² a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. ³ For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. ⁴ Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. ⁵ They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” 

–Hebrews 8:1-5 ESV

⁸ And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. ⁹ Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.

–Exodus 25:8-9 ESV

⁶ In my distress I called upon the Lord;

    to my God I cried for help.

From his temple he heard my voice,

    and my cry to him reached his ears.

–Psalm 18:6 ESV

Aisha’s Analysis

Today’s verses illuminate that the tabernacle God prescribed to Moses in Exodus was actually a copy or a replica of the tabernacle in Heaven. While the descendants of Levi served as high priests on earth who offered sacrifices on a regular basis, there is a heavenly High Priest who offered a perfect sacrifice (Himself) once and for all time. 

Further, our heavenly High Priest does not only perform priestly duties, but also sits at the Father’s right hand in a supremely exalted position. While the atoning work of Christ is complete and finished with His obedience to the point of death on a cross and subsequent resurrection, Christ continues His advocating work by interceding for us as He sits at His Father’s right hand. 

How encouraging! Not only do these verses in Hebrews teach us of the existence of a heavenly tabernacle and high priest, but they show us that God is working from a far better plan. The New Testament reveals the substance of what the Old Testament provided as a shadow. Christ is the substance. He has been a part of God’s plan for humanity’s redemption all along. Everything that preceded Christ was a sign pointing to Him.

The work of Jesus continues in Heaven. He is our mediator, advocate, and redeemer. What an incredible encouragement to know that we’re not on our own here on earth. We have someone going to bat for us in Heaven. All praises to our King!

Application

What I find so encouraging from the passages above is that God is not impervious to our cries for help. He hears us from His temple. Not only that, we have a heavenly High Priest interceding to God on our behalf. 

Let this reality sink deep into your heart especially if you are struggling to discern God’s presence in your life right now. Retrace your steps. Where have you missed Him? What is He telling you right now? 

Let your prayer life come alive with the intercession of Jesus to back you up. You are not coming to God on your own. Praise God you are not alone. Jesus is the door you are entering through. So go boldly to the throne of grace, and pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father. Tell Him your needs and trust that He hears your cries for help from His temple.

Prayer

Father in Heaven, thank You for hearing the cries of my heart. Any hardship I happen to experience here on earth is not without a purpose. Thank You for having a plan in place to rescue me from my distress. Thank You, Jesus, for paving the way for me to know the Father firsthand. In Jesus’ name, amen.