… ² a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.

Religious terminology abounds in Christendom—and by that we mean the whole of the religious world that traces its roots back, whether accurately or inaccurately, to New Testament heritage. “Minister” is one of those terms that conveys a separate priestly class, separate from all other normal people. The New Testament makes no such distinction, but teaches that all Christians form a priesthood (1 Peter 2:8), a kingdom of priests (Rev 1:6). We do not need to go through a mere human being, whether of a clerical class or not, to enter, as it were, the presence of God. We have already been invited to “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace…” (Heb 4:16). We, as individuals, are not only welcome into the very presence of God, but are invited into that presence, to enter with confidence—no earthly priest necessary.

The priesthood, as a separate class, though, was prominent in the Old Testament worship system. The word used here for “minister” is the Greek word letourgos, from which we get our English word, liturgy. The Levitical worship system commanded in the Mosaic Law was very liturgical in that there were formal, prescribed actions that needed to take place in specific order and placement. The priests were specially designated to know these rules and perform them on behalf of the “normal” people.

The Tabernacle, also mentioned by word in today’s passage, was essentially an elaborate, Bedouin tent (the word “tabernacle” is from the Greek word “tent”) used to house the symbolic presence of God (i.e. the Mercy Seat) while the people of Israel were wanderers in the desert. The instructions for its design, construction, transportation and use were exquisitely detailed. It was composed of the outer and inner courts, and the sanctuary, called the “Holy Place” and the inner portion of the sanctuary, called the “Most Holy Place” or as some translate it, “the Holy of Holies.” In fact the Greek word used in this passage for “sanctuary” is the word translated elsewhere as “holy.”

A study of the OT teaching on this provides helpful background to our passage. The next few verses will flesh this out. But suffice it to say Christ is a minister (present tense) in the genuine sanctuary and tabernacle of God. He is our “one mediator … between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim 2:5). He is our only, necessary and sufficient mediator. This far surpasses the liturgical approach to God found in the OT and in many churches today.

Lord, thank You for freeing us from all ritualistic forms for approaching You. Your invitation to enter the presence of your Father is abundantly gracious.