As it is in Heaven
The last year has caused many of us to suffer loss. Do you find yourself lamenting that loss and wishing for things to be restored to the way they were? The persecuted Jewish Christians who were addressed by the letter to the Hebrews had suffered great loss (Hebrews 10:32-35) and rejection (John 9:22). Being put out of the synagogue and religious community would have meant that they would not have been able to worship in the Temple under the ministry of the High Priest.
The Holy Spirit encourages them in the letter of Hebrews with the truth that God is in control and bringing about change for the better. He shows them that although they may not have had an earthly High Priest to minister to them, intercede for them and mediate for them - they had someone way better. Their High Priest, and ours, is a King as well as a Priest. He rules all priests, and rules all Kingdoms. He is seated at the right had of God, having finished His mission and secured our eternal future through His loving sacrifice. From His throne, right now, Jesus intercedes for us, He mediates between us and God and He rules over all the universe. Listening for God’s perfect plan from Heaven and embracing the present is far better than longing for an imperfect past.
Scripture
Hebrews 8:1-6 ESV 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.” [6] But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
Bible Study Questions
Hebrews 8:1 says that the main point of what has been taught so far in the book of Hebrews is that we (the early Jewish Christians, you and I) have such a High Priest. What kind of High Priest do we have? (Hebrews 7:26-28)
Name at least three things that Jesus is doing right now, seated in His place at the right hand of God, that no earthly priest can do? (Romans 8:34, 1 Corinthians 15:23-26, Hebrews 8:6)
How is the work of the earthly priests different to the work of Jesus Christ the heavenly High Priest? (Hebrews 8:3)
Why is our Lord Jesus Christ’s ministry of mediating the New Covenant so much better than the mediation of the earthly high priest? (Hebrews 8:6)
How is the Heavenly Temple that Jesus is ministering in different from the earthly one, and what’s different between what’s happening there and here on earth? (Matthew 6:9-10)
Our Lord Jesus teaches us to pray that God’s will is done here on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 20:18). Before we can go out and do God’s will on earth where must we be? (Mark 3:14)
How are we to go about seeking and doing God’s will here on earth? (Matthew 7:7-8)
Prayer
Our Father Who is in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name,
Your Kingdom come,
Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven,
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who sin against us,
And lead us,
Not into Temptation, but deliver us from evil,
For Yours is the Kingdom, the power and the Glory, forever and ever,
Amen.
Worship
Deep in our hearts
There is a longing for You Lord
Here in this moment
There is nothing we want more
Humbly we bow
Surrendering all to You
We lay it all down
Lord do what You wanna do
We turn our hearts to You
We are waiting for You
Let Your kingdom come
Let Your kingdom come
On earth as it is in heaven
Let Your will be done
Let Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Wherever You lead
We will follow we will follow You now
Lord we receive
Would You fill us fill us and send us out
We lift our praise
To God our Father
All the honor
Belongs to You
Chris McClarney | Josh Bronleewe
Service
Jesus teaches us to pray for God’s will to be done here on earth, who will do His will here on earth? How can we do the will of God in heavenly ways, rather than trying to deal with issues in the earthly way? We must make the decision to be with the Lord Jesus to listen to Him, then we can ask Him where He wants us to go, look for the opportunities to do His will, and try the different opportunities He makes available.