Reflections on the Book of Hebrews

The Highest Place

‘We place You on the highest place For You are the great High Priest.  We place You high above all else, all else; And we come to You and worship at Your feet.’  In 1983, Ramon Pink wrote these simple, but powerful words of worship.  Why does Jesus deserve the ‘highest place of honor’ in our hearts?

I loved John Denver.  I heard him in concert on four different occasions.  Once, in Auckland, New Zealand, I had the privilege to go backstage and to have a brief conversation with him.  There is something thrilling about being in the presence of someone famous.  

The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus has been seated on the ‘highest place’.  In Hebrews 4:14-16, he writes, “14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  In Hebrews 7, he says Jesus is ‘holy, blameless, pure, and set apart from sinners.  He offered one perfect sacrifice for our sins—Himself.  He lives forever, always interceding for us.

This Son of God, who passed through the heavens coming into our world and who passed back through the heavens returning to God, took on humanity like us.  He endured temptation just like us.  He understands our weaknesses and sympathizes with our struggles.  And because He is this kind of priest, we are urged by the Hebrew writer to enter God’s throne with CONFIDENCE and BOLDNESS.

I loved meeting John Denver.  I love the memory of conversing with him.  I was awed by his presence.  BUT SCRIPTURE TELLS ME THAT THE ONE WHO IS ON THE HIGHEST PLACE WELCOMES ME INTO HIS PRESENCE.  HOW THRILLING IS THAT!!!

Prayer:  Thank you, Father, for making such a sacrifice—sending your only Son in human form to experience temptation in this world.  Thank you that right now He is in heaven beside You to intercede for me.

Terry Brown

Abilene,Texas