Now the main 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, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being. Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer.
Hebrews 8:1-3[1]
When Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People came it, it was an overnight success. One of the things that attracted people to Steven and his approach to success was its practical approach to success and life. My favorite quote from his book continues to stay with me today.
The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.
It sounds like something that a young child would say. Or someone who wasn’t very familiar with the English language. Or maybe it was created by some piece of Artificial Intelligence software that just put the words together. It sounds so simple.
That’s exactly why it’s so powerful. So memorable. Everyone’s used this quote so much that you’ll find over a quarter of a million hits on Google for this quote. It sticks in our minds like glue. Not the Post-it® kind of glue that easily pulls off and is forgotten. No, it sticks like super glue that can’t be pulled apart.
And while super glue hadn’t been invented yet, this is the same idea behind what the writer wants the Hebrews to get. After saying everything that’s been written in the first seven chapters, there’s a main thing that needs to be said. There’s a main point that everyone needs to understand.
If you were to take all the priests in the world and compare them, you’d be able to separate them into two basic kinds. On the one side would be Jesus, and on the other side would be everyone else. It’s really that simple.
But there is a main point to all this. It’s like a math problem where you have lots and numbers and lots of calculations. You work your way down through them all and at the end is the answer. The whole point of the problem is to get to the bottom line. The solution. For the Hebrews and us, the single solution is Jesus. Period.
How can the writer say such a thing? After all, only having one way of doing things sounds so restrictive. Only having one person sounds so exclusive. Our whole way of living says that anyone and everyone can become whatever they want. There are no restrictions on us. Just look at these three ways that Jesus is so wildly different from all the other priests.
Sat down. This is something really strange to say about a priest. After all, how can a priest offer a sacrifice while sitting down? The short answer is they can’t. But since Jesus has made the once-for-all sacrifice for sin, he can now sit down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven.
Serves. While Jesus was a priest, he also served. He wasn’t afraid to be out with people who were walking through the dirty, dusty streets of his day. He came as a suffering servant[2]. His sacrifice was not just here on Earth, but in the true tabernacle set up by the Lord.
Sacrifices. Jesus didn’t just sir around and let people take selfies with him. Hie sacrifice of himself on the cross was unlike any other sin offering. No perfect little lamb was needed because Jesus personally was the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world[3].
It was more than just the writer who is telling the Hebrews and us that Jesus is the only one. Jesus himself said that he and the Father are one[4]. Jesus clearly told everyone that no one comes to the Father except through him[5]. And to top it all off, Jesus also called God his own father, making himself equal to God[6].
There’s really no doubt about what Jesus said about himself. It’s as plain as the nose on our face. He says that he’s the one and only way for us to get back to God. He personally says that eternal life is to know the one and only true God and Jesus Christ who God sent[7].
Now is the time for us to grab hold of the main thing. To reach out to Jesus and receive his total payment for all our sins. We give him all our junk and he gives himself his own righteousness[8]. I know that it sounds too good to be true. And in a way it is because there’s no other name under heaven that can save us[9]. Now that’s a big main thing.
Noodling Questions
How do you figure out what the main things in life are?
From Sat Down, Serves, and Sacrifices, which one is most important? Why?
What three things can we do to follow the main things in life?
[1] Unless otherwise noted, all Bible references are from the New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
[2] Isaiah 52:13-53:12
[3] John 1:29
[4] John 10:30
[5] John 14:6
[6] John 5:18
[7] John 17:3
[8] Romans 3:22
[9] Acts 4:12
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