Hebrews 8:1
The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,
The point of what we are saying is this
This phrase serves as a summary or culmination of the preceding arguments in the Book of Hebrews. The Greek word for "point" is "kephalaion," which can mean "main point" or "summary." It indicates that the author is drawing a conclusion from the previous discussions about the superiority of Christ's priesthood. Historically, the Book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were familiar with the Levitical priesthood, and this phrase emphasizes the transition from the old covenant to the new, highlighting the fulfillment of the law through Christ.

We do have such a high priest
The phrase "such a high priest" refers to the unique and superior nature of Jesus' priesthood. The Greek word "archiereus" is used for "high priest," which in the Jewish context was the highest religious authority, responsible for offering sacrifices and interceding for the people. Jesus, as our high priest, surpasses the Levitical priests because He is both the priest and the sacrifice, offering Himself once for all. This reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the establishment of a new covenant, as Jesus mediates between God and humanity.

who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven
The imagery of sitting "at the right hand" signifies a position of honor and authority. In the ancient world, the right hand was considered a place of power and privilege. The Greek word "kathemai" means "to sit," indicating that Jesus' work of atonement is complete, unlike the Levitical priests who stood daily to perform their duties. The "throne of the Majesty" refers to God's sovereign rule, with "Majesty" being a reverent term for God Himself. This phrase underscores the divine authority and completed work of Christ, affirming His exaltation and ongoing intercession for believers. Historically, this would have been a powerful assurance to early Christians facing persecution, reminding them of Christ's ultimate victory and His role as their eternal advocate.

Persons / Places / Events
1. High Priest
Refers to Jesus Christ, who serves as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity. In the context of Hebrews, Jesus is portrayed as the perfect and eternal High Priest.

2. Throne of the Majesty
This phrase symbolizes God's sovereign rule and authority. It is a reference to God's throne in heaven, emphasizing His supreme power and holiness.

3. Heaven
The spiritual realm where God resides. In this context, it highlights the divine and eternal nature of Jesus' priesthood.
Teaching Points
The Supremacy of Christ's Priesthood
Jesus' role as High Priest is superior to the Levitical priesthood because He serves in the heavenly sanctuary, not an earthly one.

The Completed Work of Christ
Jesus "sat down" at the right hand of God, signifying the completion and sufficiency of His sacrificial work for our sins.

Access to God through Jesus
As our High Priest, Jesus provides us direct access to God, encouraging us to approach the throne of grace with confidence.

The Eternal Nature of Jesus' Ministry
Unlike earthly priests who served temporarily, Jesus' priesthood is eternal, offering us a permanent intercession before God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding Jesus as our High Priest change the way you approach prayer and worship?

2. In what ways does the concept of Jesus sitting at the right hand of God provide comfort and assurance in your daily life?

3. How can the completed work of Christ on the cross influence your perspective on forgiveness and grace?

4. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of the access you have to God through Jesus in your everyday activities?

5. How does the eternal nature of Jesus' priesthood encourage you in times of trial or uncertainty? Consider connecting this to the hope expressed in Hebrews 4:14-16.
Connections to Other Scriptures
Hebrews 4:14-16
This passage also speaks of Jesus as our High Priest, emphasizing His ability to sympathize with our weaknesses and His role in providing us access to God's grace.

Psalm 110:1
This verse is a prophetic reference to the Messiah sitting at the right hand of God, which is fulfilled in Jesus as described in Hebrews 8:1.

Philippians 2:9-11
These verses describe Jesus' exaltation and His position of authority, which aligns with His sitting at the right hand of God.
Our Great High PriestH. Melvill, B. D.Hebrews 8:1
The Crowning Point: Christ the High Priest in HeavenA. Saphir.Hebrews 8:1
The Enthroned Servant ChristA. Maclaren, D. D.Hebrews 8:1
The Great PossessionE. Garbett, M. A.Hebrews 8:1
The Minister of the True Tabernacle, His Position and His OfficeD. Young Hebrews 8:1
Heaven the Place Where This Great High Priest MinistersC. New Hebrews 8:1-5
The Exclusive Glory of Christ in His EnthronementJ.S. Bright Hebrews 8:1-5
People
Hebrews
Places
Egypt, Jerusalem
Topics
Chief, Connexion, Glory, God's, Greatness, Heaven, Heavens, Main, Majesty, Point, Priest, Sat, Saying, Seat, Seated, Sit, Speaking, Spoken, Sum, Summary, Throne
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Hebrews 8:1

     1090   God, majesty of
     1130   God, sovereignty
     1270   right hand of God
     2051   Christ, majesty of
     2206   Jesus, the Christ
     2306   Christ, high priest
     2312   Christ, as king
     5396   lordship, of Christ
     5581   throne
     9411   heaven

Hebrews 8:1-2

     2336   Christ, exaltation
     5100   Melchizedek
     6606   access to God
     6617   atonement, in NT
     7378   high priest, NT
     7460   tabernacle, in NT
     7769   priests, NT types

Hebrews 8:1-6

     2069   Christ, pre-eminence
     8345   servanthood, and worship

Hebrews 8:1-13

     5381   law, letter and spirit
     6698   newness

Library
Christ Our Mediator. --Continued.
"But now hath he [Christ] obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises" (Heb. viii. 6). Having considered Christ's preparatory work, His earthly mission, we wish now to consider His office and work as mediator between God and men. Christ sought no additional honor because of His message to men and suffering on their account. On the contrary, He prayed: "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self,
Frank G. Allen—Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel

The New Covenant.
"Now in the things which we are saying the chief point is this: We have such a High-priest, Who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. For every high-priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is necessary that this High-priest also have somewhat to offer. Now if He were on earth, He would not be a Priest at all, seeing there are those who offer
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Wesley Refused the Sacrament at Epworth
In the evening I reached Epworth. Sunday, 2. At five I preached on "So is everyone that is born of the Spirit." About eight I preached from my father's tomb on Hebrews 8:11. Many from the neighboring towns asked if it would not be well, as it was sacrament Sunday, for them to receive it. I told them, "By all means: but it would be more respectful first to ask Mr. Romley, the curate's leave." One did so, in the name of the rest; to whom he said, "Pray tell Mr. Wesley, I shall not give him the sacrament;
John Wesley—The Journal of John Wesley

God in the Covenant
But I have been thinking for the last two or three days, that the covenant of grace excels the other covenant most marvelously in the mighty blessings which it confers. What does the covenant of grace convey? I had thought this morning of preaching a sermon upon "The covenant of grace; what are the blessings it gives to God's children?" But when I began to think of it, there was so much in the covenant, that if I had only read a catalogue of the great and glorious blessings, wrapped up within its
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

The New Covenant
"But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."--JER. xxxi. 33, 34. ISAIAH has often been called
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

The Person Sanctified.
"The putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh."--Col. ii. 11. Sanctification embraces the whole man, body and soul, with all the parts, members, and functions that belong to each respectively. It embraces his person and, all of his person. This is why sanctification progresses from the hour of regeneration all through life, and can be completed only in and through death. St. Paul prays for the church of Thessalonica: "The God of peace sanctify you wholly, and may your whole spirit and soul
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Christ Our High Priest.
"Now, if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are said belongeth to another tribe, from which no man hath given attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord hath sprung
Frank G. Allen—Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel

Perseverance in Holiness
May the King himself come near and feast his saints to-day! May the Comforter who convinced of sin now come to cheer us with the promise! We noticed concerning the fig tree, that it was confirmed in its barrenness: it had borne no fruit, though it made large professions of doing so, and it was made to abide as it was. Let us consider another form of confirmation: not the curse of continuance in the rooted habit of evil; but the blessing of perseverance in a settled way of grace. May the Lord show
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 35: 1889

The Scriptures Reveal Eternal Life through Jesus Christ
John v. 39--"Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me." Eph. ii. 20--"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets." As in darkness there is need of a lantern without and the light of the eyes within--for neither can we see in darkness without some lamp though we have never so good eyes, nor yet see without eyes, though in never so clear a sunshine--so there is absolute need for the guiding of our feet in the dangerous
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant
"I give thee for a covenant of the people."--ISA. xlii. 6, xlix. 8. "The Lord shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in."--MAL. iii. 1. "Jesus was made Surety of a better covenant."--HEB. vii. 22. "The Mediator of the Better Covenant, established upon better promises . . . The Mediator of the New Covenant. . . Ye are come to Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant."--HEB. viii. 6, ix. 15, xii. 24. WE have here four titles given to our Lord Jesus in
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

How the Wise and the Dull are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 7). Differently to be admonished are the wise of this world and the dull. For the wise are to be admonished that they leave off knowing what they know: the dull also are to be admonished that they seek to know what they know not. In the former this thing first, that they think themselves wise, is to be thrown down; in the latter whatsoever is already known of heavenly wisdom is to be built up; since, being in no wise proud, they have, as it were, prepared their hearts for supporting
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Sanctification.
I. I will remind you of some points that have been settled in this course of study. 1. The true intent and meaning of the law of God has been, as I trust, ascertained in the lectures on moral government. Let this point if need be, be examined by reference to those lectures. 2. We have also seen, in those lectures, what is not, and what is implied in entire obedience to the moral law. 3. In those lectures, and also in the lectures on justification and repentance, it has been shown that nothing is
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

The Ascension
"So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen." MARK 16:19-20 (R.V.) WE have reached the close of the great Gospel of the energies of Jesus, His toils, His manner, His searching gaze, His noble indignation, His love of children, the consuming zeal by virtue of which He was not more truly the
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Great Shepherd
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. I t is not easy for those, whose habits of life are insensibly formed by the customs of modern times, to conceive any adequate idea of the pastoral life, as obtained in the eastern countries, before that simplicity of manners, which characterized the early ages, was corrupted, by the artificial and false refinements of luxury. Wealth, in those
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Covenant of Works
Q-12: I proceed to the next question, WHAT SPECIAL ACT OF PROVIDENCE DID GOD EXERCISE TOWARDS MAN IN THE ESTATE WHEREIN HE WAS CREATED? A: When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge upon pain of death. For this, consult with Gen 2:16, 17: And the Lord commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Concerning the Scriptures.
Concerning the Scriptures. From these revelations of the Spirit of God to the saints, have proceeded the Scriptures of Truth, which contain, I. A faithful historical account of the actings of God's people in divers ages; with many singular and remarkable providences attending them. II. A prophetical account of several things, whereof some are already past, and some yet to come. III. A full and ample account of all the chief principles of the doctrine of Christ, held forth in divers precious declarations,
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

The Strait Gate;
OR, GREAT DIFFICULTY OF GOING TO HEAVEN: PLAINLY PROVING, BY THE SCRIPTURES, THAT NOT ONLY THE RUDE AND PROFANE, BUT MANY GREAT PROFESSORS, WILL COME SHORT OF THAT KINGDOM. "Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."--Matthew 7:13, 14 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. If any uninspired writer has been
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
or, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

How to Make Use of Christ for Taking the Guilt of Our Daily Out-Breakings Away.
The next part of our sanctification is in reference to our daily failings and transgressions, committed partly through the violence of temptations, as we see in David and Peter, and other eminent men of God; partly through daily infirmities, because of our weakness and imperfections; for, "in many things we offend all," James iii. 2; and, "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us," 1 John i. 8; "a righteous man falleth seven times," Prov. xxiv. 16; "there is not
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Doctrine
OF THE LAW AND GRACE UNFOLDED; OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING THE LAW AND GRACE; THE NATURE OF THE ONE, AND THE NATURE OF THE OTHER; SHOWING WHAT THEY ARE, AS THEY ARE THE TWO COVENANTS; AND LIKEWISE, WHO THEY BE, AND WHAT THEIR CONDITIONS ARE, THAT BE UNDER EITHER OF THESE TWO COVENANTS: Wherein, for the better understanding of the reader, there are several questions answered touching the law and grace, very easy to be read, and as easy to be understood, by those that are the sons of wisdom, the children
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

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