THE JOURNEY THROUGH THE HEAVENS

THE JOURNEY THROUGH THE HEAVENS 

"A great High Priest, Who has passed through the heavens" Heb. 4:11

With these words the writer began his more careful consideration of Jesus as the High Priest of our confession; and as he did so, he employed the word “great." To the Hebrew mind the phrase "High Priest" in itself expressed the highest form of priestly service; it was the ultimate word. This phrase is still further strengthened by the word "great." Jesus is not merely a priest; He is the High Priest, and in that He is GREAT. His priestly work and position are characterized by the UTMOST FINALITY. This GREATNESS is here described in one way. He has "passed through the heavens." The statement is far stronger than it would be if it read "passed into the heavens." The smallest of words changes the meaning of a verse in the scriptures. It helps us to think of Him as entering into the place of CLOSEST NEARNESS TO GOD IN HIS PRIESTLY POSITION. No lower heaven, however exalted, is the place of His work. Through all heavens He passed to that which in some sense is beyond the heavens, to the very place and being of God Himself. Moreover, the phrase is inclusive of His coming to us as well as to His going to God. He passed THROUGH THE HEAVENS TO COME TO MAN, into closest identification; and having accomplished His purposes there, He passed THROUGH THE HEAVENS TO GO TO GOD, into CLOSEST IDENTIFICATION. The same thought is found in Paul's letter to the Ephesians "Now this, He ascended what it is but that He also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended far . . . that He might FILL ALL THINGS." (Eph. 4:9-10)