FORERUNNER

FORERUNNER

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6;19,20

The heavenly ministry of Jesus has been apparently forgotten by our modern church. Jesus Christ is a real man. Even today, in His glorified state, He is a man. He is not inactive but is fully engaged as our heavenly high priest. He entered heaven as a forerunner for redeemed man. He entered heaven itself as a representative of the elect to represent us before the Father. Because of His heavenly ministry I have access into His glorious presence. A.B. Simpson described this ministry in one of his sermons from the book of Hebrews. Here is an excerpt of his teaching.

“He has passed through the heavens. He represents not merely the natural life, but the resurrection life. He has entered into the world of the unseen. He has traversed the realms of death. He represents the future life as well as the present. He is able to carry us not only through, but beyond the present sphere and stage of our existence. He has passed not only into the heavens, but through the heavens; as it is expressed in another passage, ‘He has passed above all heavens’. There is no part of the universe that is not beneath His feet and under His control. He is supreme in His authority, infinite in influence and all powerful in His advocacy and resources. What confidence we may have in confiding all our interests to His almighty hands!”

What exactly is Jesus doing in heaven. Well first, He is upholding all things by the word of His power. He is actually running the universe and the affairs of this earth by His mighty word. Secondly, He is serving as our heavenly high priest. John said He is our advocate before the Father. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleans us from all unrighteousness. As our priest He also is the baptizer in the Holy Spirit. Flowing out from Him is the river of his glory. It flows over whoever is thirsty for Him. We can experience the powerful fruit of His ministry as we look to Him.
On the day of Pentecost Peter said something that is the key to this deeper life we are all looking for. Peter was pointing directly to Christ’s heavenly ministry as he explained the mighty outpouring they were experiencing. Here is what Peter said. “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.” Acts 2:33 Today, let’s consider the powerful heavenly ministry of Jesus. As we do, we will find ourselves being filled with the mighty power of His presence.