Aug 14 Jesus’ ministry now, it’s better “on earth as in Heaven”!
A Verse to Remember:
But here’s the truth: It’s to your advantage that I go away, for if i don’t go away the Divine Encourager will not be released to you. But after I depart I will send Him to you. John 16:7 TPT
Gospel Story: The Ascension Mark 16:19-20
Todays Scripture: Hebrews 8:1-6 The true place of worship!.
Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. 2 There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands.
3 And since every high priest is required to offer gifts and sacrifices, our High Priest must make an offering, too. 4 If he were here on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there already are priests who offer the gifts required by the law. 5 They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.”
6 But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.
Reflection:
Could the lives of people who knew Jesus’ during his earthly ministry ever get better? The disciples would have no clue how Jesus leaving them at the peak of his ministry could be to their advantage. But with His ascension to Heaven Jesus ministry on earth gets even better! The Author of Hebrews, more than any other New Testament author, tells us over and over again that things are “better” than they have ever been. So when chapter eight begins with “Here’s the main point…” we need to pay attention. I quote,
“We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honour beside the throne of the majestic God in Heaven. There He ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands… now Jesus, … mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises …
With Jesus now ministering in the Heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship, we are told this initiates “a far better covenant with God”. From this true place of worship Jesus makes it possible for us to live “on earth is it is in heaven”. What the temple had always represented is now realized. Now God can truly dwell in the midst of His people—by living in them through faith in Jesus. The separation between heaven and earth has been restored.I get to live in God’s Presence while I walk the earth!!!…”on earth as in heaven!”
Comments