‘Higher Than the Heavens’

‘Higher Than the Heavens’

For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.’

Hebrews 7:26

In God’s way of doing things, humiliation precedes exaltation.  We see this pattern throughout Scripture in the accounts of people such as Joseph, Mordecai, and Daniel. In the case of Christ, we behold the same pattern.  Philippians 2 refers to this directly.  Speaking of Him it declares, ‘who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ The next portion of that passage describes His exaltation when it says, ‘Wherefore, God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ This harmonizes with our text for today that Christ, ‘has become higher than the heavens.’  Other passages treat this same subject. As John describes his visions of Christ in the Revelation, he shows us Christ glorified and exalted.  From the first chapter, where he sees Him in glorious splendor, to the last chapters where He appears as Conqueror and Judge. John sets before us, the Christ Who is ‘higher than the heavens.’  The humiliation of Christ has given way to the exaltation of Christ.  We began our experience with God by encountering, ‘gentle Jesus, meek and mild.’  We now experience Him as the Highly Exalted One, Whom God, His Father has elevated before the eyes of all.  Today, we have the blessed opportunity to fix our eyes upon the exalted Christ, Who has ‘become higher than the heavens.’

Our High and Holy God,
we rejoice in the gift of Jesus, gentle and meek.
We praise You that You have raised Him on high,
for all eyes to behold,
in all His Glorious Splendor.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning