"He's the real deal," is a common expression to affirm someone's credibility. This expression is often applied to an athlete or someone with great talent or used to confirm some claim or observation about a person.
Over the past 45 years, my wife has loved on and cared for hundreds of children. Many people along the way have noted her gift with and love for children and their love for her.
I've seen it in her as Mom and Nana and in her work in church nurseries, in our ministry overseas, and in her current work at a preschool.
Words need to match action for a person to be the real deal. The opinion of others isn't enough, people need to see it for themselves. In other words, it should be obvious to all.
Scripture
The main point we want to make is this: We do have this kind of chief priest. This chief priest has received the highest position, the throne of majesty in heaven. He serves as priest of the holy place and of the true tent set up by the Lord and not by any human. [vss 1-2]
Every chief priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. Therefore, this chief priest had to offer something. If he were on earth, he would not even be a priest. On earth ⌊other⌋ priests offer gifts by following the instructions that Moses gave. They serve at a place that is a pattern, a shadow, of what is in heaven. When Moses was about to make the tent, God warned him, “Be sure to make everything based on the plan I showed you on the mountain.” [vss 3-5]
Jesus has been given a priestly work that is superior to the Levitical priests’ work. He also brings a better promise from God that is based on better guarantees. If nothing had been wrong with the first promise, no one would look for another one. [vss 6-7]
(Hebrews 8:1-7 GW) [Context– Hebrews 8]
Key phrase—
This chief priest has received the highest position, the throne of majesty in heaven
Digging Deeper...
Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions
How is the high (chief) priesthood of Jesus described here?
What are at least two important things said about how He serves?
What does God warn Moses to do? Why was this important?
What are we told about Jesus' priestly work compared to that of the former priests?
Reflection...
Whatever is visible and tangible was once a thought and invisible to the naked eye. An artist gets an idea then brings it to life on a canvas or in a sculpture. An inventor sees a new way of doing something in her mind, designs it, and produces it.
God, the Creator of all, spoke and brought the universe and our world into existence, including humanity (Gen 1:1-3). The sanctuary (tent or tabernacle) Moses was instructed to build was based on God's design. Everything the first high priest Aaron did as he served was a prototype for the redemptive work Jesus did on the cross.
In earlier chapters of Hebrews, we've been told how superior Jesus is to those held in esteem in the Old Testament, and how His ministry and message were greater than the former priests and the requirements of the Law.
There is no one greater to appeal to than Jesus and nothing that can be added or taken away from who He is and what He's done for us. Religion can never compare with the gracious relationship a person can have with God through faith.
Relationship with God by faith is always greater and more genuine than any religion. Jesus is the Real Deal for receiving acceptance and forgiveness with God.
Make it personal...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions
Do you understand why this contrast is made between the Old Testament high priests and Jesus?
Can you see how the first covenant promise was a temporary pattern for what came later through Jesus?
Are you becoming more aware of the enduring nature of a relationship with Jesus by faith?
In what way have you personally realized relationship by faith is better than religion?
©2017—Word-Strong
Here's a free introduction for the book of Hebrews— Intro to studying Hebrews