The Main Point: Christ, the High Priest, Is Building the House

We have such a High Priest – even though it sometimes seems as if we have nothing at all. That is why we must not focus on our circumstances. It is precisely when there is nothing more we can do, that we must have this experience: We have a High Priest. He sits at the right hand of the throne of Majesty in heaven. The Lord has everything under control and is building His House Himself.

Sometimes we might think, we are capable and can do many things for God. But it is impossible for man to build the house of God. Hebrews 9:11 says, ‘But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.’ What people build with their own hands is earthly and perishable. We may well build a good earthly tabernacle and do many works. Yet even if we can build a great church, we cannot build what the Lord desires. His house is not the work of human hands. Only the Lord can build what truly belongs to Him. God is therefore not primarily concerned with the works we do, but with us receiving His nature.

This is also shown very clearly in Matthew 16. The Lord first asks: ‘But who do you say that I am?’ And when Peter has recognized that Jesus is the Christ, the Lord says: ‘On this rock I will build my church.” Not: ‘You shall build your church.’ Not: ‘I will build your church.’ Not: ‘You shall build my church.’ But: I will build my church.

And this High Priest is not simply a ruler who, having completed his work, has taken his seat on the throne and now merely reigns from on high. His entire life on earth was spent in obedience to and service for the Father. And even after taking his seat at the right hand of the throne, he is still ‘a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle’. His nature has not changed: He serves and builds His house.

That is why we should fix our full attention on Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest. We have such a High Priest. He sits on the throne. He is building his house. It is not we who build His house – the Lord builds His house. This must become the main point of our thinking.