He's the Real Deal
Photo by Ryan Hutton on Unsplash
The Real Deal
"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 and cared for hundreds of children. Many people 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. When it comes to the care of children, she’s the real deal.
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.
This is one reason the fall of a leader disheartens us, whatever their role. It can be devastating when someone we’ve put our trust in lets us down. Especially if they’ve made big promises. We are more inclined to trust someone when they can back up their promises.
Scripture Text
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.
Dig Deeper Into the Text—
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?
Things to Consider—
Whatever is visible and tangible was once someone’s thought and invisible to the naked eye. An artist gets an idea and 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/tabernacle) Moses was instructed to build was based on God's design. Aaron’s high priestly ministry served as a prototype for Jesus’s redemptive work 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. As it says in verse 6 (above),
He also brings a better promise from God that is based on better guarantees. (Hebrews 8:6)
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. The rituals of religion can never compare with the gracious relationship a person has with God through faith.
Relationship with God by faith is always greater and more genuine than any religious observance. Jesus is the Real Deal for receiving acceptance and forgiveness from God. His promise of forgiveness is guaranteed!
Answer These Questions to Apply God’s Word in Your Life—
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?
What personal experiences have led you to believe that a faith-based relationship is better than a religion-based one?
Here’s a link to a free study guide for the book of Hebrews— Study Guide and Study Questions for Hebrews
