"The Sum" of our High Priest

"Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man."  

Heb. 8:1,2

 

This is the summing up of the evidence of the high priesthood of Christ presented in the first seven chapters of Hebrews. The "sum" presented is not particularly that we have a High Priest but that "we have such an High Priest." "Such" signifies "of that kind; of a like kind or degree,"—"the same as previously mentioned or specified; not another or different."

The first seven chapters of Hebrews have gathered together all the specific qualifications and things becoming to Him as a High Priest, which are summed up in this text: "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an High Priest."

And what is that of which this is "the sum"?

1. That He who was higher than the angels, as God, was made lower than the angels, as man.
2. That He who was of the nature of God was made of the nature of man.
3. That He who was in all things like God was made in all things like man.
4. That as man He was tempted in all points like as men are, and never sinned; but was in all things faithful to Him that appointed Him.
5. That, as man, tempted in all points like as we are, He was touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and was made perfect through sufferings, in order that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest; and was called of God to be an High Priest.
6. That by the power of an endless life He was made High Priest.
7. And that by the oath of God He was made High Priest.

Such are the specifications of the Word of God, of which the "sum" is. "We have such an High Priest." A.T. Jones