Christ, High Priest in the True Sanctuary, superseding the Levitical Priesthood—The New renders Obsolete the Old Covenant. (72) Heb. 8: 1-13
The apostle had demonstrated that He was to be a priest, and that he was to be, not of the Levitical order, but of the order of Melchizedek. In the prosecution of this, he (1) states the sum or principal point of the whole matter under discussion—that the priesthood of Christ was real and permanent, while that of the Hebrew economy was typical, and was destined in its own nature to be temporary: vv. 1–3. (2) There was a fitness and propriety of His being removed to heaven to perform the functions of His office there—since if He had remained on earth, He could not have officiated as priest, that duty being by the law of Moses entrusted to others pertaining to another tribe: vv. 4, 5. (3). Christ had obtained a more exalted ministry than the Jewish priests held, because He was the Mediator in a better covenant—a covenant that related rather to the heart than to external observances: vv. 6–13” Albert Barnes. “In chapter 7 it is the excellency of our High Priest’s person which is demonstrated; here in Hebrews 8 it is His ministry which is contemplated… In chapter 8 we are further shown the excellency of our Redeemer’s sacerdotal office, first, from the high Sanctuary in which it is now exercised vv. 1–5; second, from its functions corresponding with the better Covenant with which it is connected vv. 6–13.” Pink A. W. “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum Or, chief, principal point: We have such an High Priest who is set on the right hand of the throne ch. 7:26–28, who. See on ch. 1:3, 13; 10:12; 12:2, Eph. 6:20, Rev. 3:21 of the majesty 1Chr. 29:11, Job 37:22, Ps. 21:5; 45:3, 4; 104:1, Is. 24:14 in the heavens” v. 1. “After the Jewish high priest had offered the annual sacrifice of expiation unto God, he passed within the veil with the blood, presenting it before Him. But he stood before the typical mercy seat with holy awe, and upon the fulfillment of his duty immediately withdrew. But Christ, after He had offered His sacrifice unto God, entered heaven itself, to sit at God’s right hand; and that, not for a season, but forevermore. “We have such an High Priest”, who, though invisible, has been exalted in dignity and glory far above those who serve under the law of a carnal commandment. The great object before the apostle in this epistle was to present that which was calculated to draw the hearts of the Hebrews away from the temple at Jerusalem, to the true Sanctuary of Christian worship on High.” Pink A. W. The ascension of Christ occupies so prominent a place in it. “A Minister ch. 9:8–12; 10:21, Ex. 28:1, 35, Lu. 24:44, Ro. 15:8, of the sanctuary holy things, the true tabernacle ch. 9:11, 23, 24, which, the Lord pitched, not man ch. 11:10, 2Co. 5:1. Col. 2:11” (v. 2). The “Sanctuary” in which our great High Priest ministers is Heaven itself: cf. Hebrews 9:24, 10:19, Ps. 102:19. Heaven is here called “the Sanctuary” does Christ now discharge His priestly office for the good of His Church. The presence of Christ in heaven, pleading the efficacy of His meritorious blood, should fill the hearts of His people with joy unspeakable: cf. John 14:28. “And of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man” The word true” here is used in contrast from the tabernacle of Israel, which was typical, shadowy, temporary. It has the force of that which is real, solid, and abiding. Jn. 6:32. First, the metaphor of a “tabernacle” is used for the body of man in 2Cor. 5:1, 2Pet. 1:13. Second, the Holy Spirit has expressly used this term (in the Greek) in John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us”. Third, in Heb. 9:11 “tabernacle” manifestly refers to Christ’s humanity—observe it is there distinguished from “the holy place” (sanctuary) in Heb. 9:12. It continues
