We had a lot of fun, in spite of a few language issues. Half way through our work, I was hit with an intriguing question: “Are you really a minister?” 

I actually thought he was asking me if I was a priest. I didn’t like the fact that he was questioning my authenticity.  Was I too careless? Or was I too skilled?  Was I not attentive enough?  Or didn’t I talk about God enough?

The early Bible writings reveal that God assigned people as priests. They served in the sanctuary to facilitate the worship.

People came to seek God for guidance, forgiveness, and power to change.  If you wanted forgiveness, it would be through an animal sacrifice.

It was the appropriate way to express faith in the Christ who was to come. Both the priest, and the sacrificial lamb, teach us about Jesus.

The earthly temple was built under Moses’ instruction according to God’s revealed design. Beautiful as it was, its purpose was to direct our attention towards another sanctuary, another place of refuge.

Through that tent-like relocatable structure we learn about Heaven’s sanctuary.  There is no safer place to call on.

We don’t need an earthly sanctuary any more.  That’s why the veil in the temple was torn in half by supernatural forces when Jesus Christ died at Calvary.

We don’t need earthly priests or mediators to help us offer up sacrifices to God any more.  We have a High Priest who understands us, and is available at any time to help us. The earthly sanctuary system with its symbolic teaching is now superseded by the real temple in Heaven, which has received our real High Priest, the resurrected Jesus Christ.

If you’re looking for help, go straight to the top. Jesus can help. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16.

Mr Höbell was asking me whether I was truly the leader that he had heard I was.  And I said, “yes”. I am a pastor.  I will never be called to be a high priest, however.  That position is already filled - by Jesus