In Hebrews 1:2-4, the author makes
seven claims about Jesus that when taken together greatly exalt his glory. The
seventh claim the author makes about the Son is that, having made purification
for sins, he now sits at the right hand of the Majesty on high. The words “he sat down” set the stage for chapter 7 where
we’re taught that Jesus is both Priest and King. Prior to Jesus, no king
offered his own sacrifices and no priest sat on the throne of David, for that
wouldn’t be right. God had decreed that there should be a separation of powers
between the priest and the king, but Jesus, unlike all before him, is worthy
and able to fulfill both roles.
So, on the one hand, Jesus sat down at the right hand of
God after making purification for sins because the sacrifice he offered, namely
himself, is sufficient. Other priests were always standing, as we see in
chapter 10:11-14, because their work was never done. The blood of bulls and
goats can never take away sins, so the priests could never sit down and rest.
But the blood of Jesus can most certainly take away sin, and so having shed
that blood he sat down and took his rest—forever!
On the other hand, Jesus sat down at the right hand of
God after making purification for sins because he is the King of kings and Lord
of lords and he rightly belongs on that throne. Do you know anyone who can make
a rightful claim to the throne of God? Jesus is the heir of all things, the
creator of all things, the radiance of the glory of God, the exact imprint of
his nature, the one who upholds all things by the word of his power, and the
one who made perfect purification for sins. And given that he is all these
things, he rightly belongs on the throne that belongs to God alone!
The force of this final claim about Jesus Christ is that
he has a position that’s exalted above all except the Father himself, and that
his authority emanates from heaven and not from earth so that his Kingdom is
not of this world and is not subject to the authorities of this world. He is
the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Ruler of rulers, the Power of all
powers, and he will reign forevermore!
Beloved, this is no theoretical claim:
Jesus is presently seated at the right hand of the majesty on high from where
he rules and reigns over all things except the Father himself! Think about how
great he must be in light of this truth. Think about how exalted a position he
must hold in light of this truth. Indeed, Jesus is highly exalted and he alone
is worthy of our praise, our allegiance, our souls, our lives, our all.
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