He Sitteth at the Right Hand of God

His Finished Work

Tus is the point on which the Writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews insists. The great point of that marvellous treatise is to prove the superiority of Christianity to the old Levitical rites. Amongst other proofs he adduces the contrast between the wearisome reiteration of the olden sacrifices, which proved their inefficiency by their incessant repetition, with the “once for all” finished work of Christ.

The sacrifices were offered “year by year continually” (x. 1); “there was therefore a remembrance made of this every year fa 6) “every priest stood in his daily ministry, offering oftentimes the same sacrifices” (11). But this Man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever sat down on the right hand of God.” (12). It might be rendered, “He for ever sat down.” “For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are being sanctified” (14).

In this remarkable passage, the whole gist of

the argument turns on the contrasted attitudes 133 of the priests, and the Priest. There were no seats in the Tabernacle or Temple; no provision was made for sitting; the ministrants must perforce be on their feet, for their work was never done. Year after year, century after century, the unceasing stream of penitents, driven with contrition for the same sins, flowed through the holy places.

But when Jesus said, “It is finished,” the work of Redemption to which He had put His Hand when He arose from the bosom of the Father was completed; so far at least as God’s side was concerned.

As we compare the Gospels, we find that these memorable words were spoken “with a loud voice.” It was, in fact, the shout of a conqueror. Finished, the types and shadows of the Jewish ritual. Finished, the long line of prophecies, closed like gates behind the King as He passed through. Finished, the work which the Father had given Him to do. Finished the ransom — price of man’s redemption. F inished, the putting away of sin. “Now once in the end of the ages He was manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself... Christ: was: once offered to bear the sins of the many” (Heb. ix. 26, 28).

This is a redeemed world. Something definite was done for it when Jesus died. He achieved our emancipation from the condemnation and thrall in which our race has involved itself, though the application of His mighty work on our behalf must largely depend on each man’s repentance, faith, and appropriation. The debt is paid, but we must listen to the trumpet of jubilee, and go forth from the house of the creditor. We must believe that we have sold ourselves for nought, and have been redeemed without money. “Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope, even to-day I declare that I will render double unto thee.”

Once in conversation with an aged Christian ‘minister, to my great surprise I discovered that he was accustomed each day to confess all the sins of which he retained the recollection, as far back as his thoughts could travel. It was astounding. This is clearly not the divine method. God casts the sins of His children behind Him into the depths of the sea; blots them out; remembers them no more. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just” — faithful to His promises, and righteous to Jesus Christ, — “to forgive us our sins.”

What can all this mean, except that we too may enter into His rest. As He sat, we may sit.

As He ceased from His works, so may we from ours. We may sit together with Him in the heavenlies. ‘“‘ Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience.” So long as Jesus retains His seat, we may possess ourselves in peace.