Right Hand of Ministry

Hebrews 8:1-2 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, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.
 
ONE of our faith’s confessions is that Jesus sits at the right hand of God the Father. About 100 Bible verses speak to this. Peter preached it in the church’s  first sermon on Pentecost: Acts 2:33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. Spirit inspired, Peter exalted Jesus of Nazareth, crucified, dead, resurrected and ascended to the place of power and authority in heaven. He is Lord of all. The world must know this.
    Hebrews adds to this as he tells us Jesus is a serving High Priest in the heavenly tabernacle. The earthly tabernacle – first a large, beautifully constructed tent and ultimately the Jerusalem temple – was the God-designed place from which the priests served Israel. Jesus, the eternal High Priest, is in the eternal tabernacle serving his Kingdom. Sitting at the Father’s right hand does not mean he quietly awaits the Father’s command to return to earth. Instead, Jesus is the ruling, active, High Priest and King.
    We know Jesus is a serving priest because serving marked his earthly ministry: Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”  Seeking is work. It requires going and doing. Seeking is uncovering those in need and serving their needs. The active Priest healed the sick, fed the hungry, preached the gospel, raised the dead and rose from the dead. Now he is about the Father’s business in the heavenly realm. What is Jesus doing now?
    Stop and reflect. For one, Jesus rules in the majesty of God. He is omniscient and omnipotent. All is under his authority. Second Jesus intercedes for us before the throne. He prays for us and with us to the Father.
    Third, Jesus receives worship and adoration: Revelation 7:9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
    Fourth, Jesus is preparing a place for us: John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And fifth, Jesus is preparing to return. His preparation is to send the Spirit to advance the gospel to the ends of the earth. He awakens those chosen from eternity past to the gospel of salvation. Remember and know, Jesus is always with you even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)