And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

~Hebrews 10:11 NKJV

Imagine going into a place of worship to discover that every chair, bench, and pew has been removed, including the fancy seat for the pastor. No place to sit for anyone. 

BEFORE CHRIST

That is exactly how God designed the tabernacle. The priest had to stand at his ministering post, continually offering sacrifices on behalf of the people to atone for their sins. In the three primary areas of the temple (outer court, inner court, and the Holy of Holies), worshipers had no place to sit.

Prior to the Messiah’s coming, the priest had to repeat the same duties for the same people year after year. Those sacrifices provided only a temporary fix to an ongoing problem. The high priest was constantly on his feet to serve the needs of the people. No doubt, he was worn out at the end of the day. Then the next day, his work began again.

I’m glad we do not have to stand the entire time we are in church today. In fact, most churches now have comfortable places to sit. Often, padding decorates our chairs, benches, and pews.

AFTER CHRIST

When Christ came into the world, His purpose was to end these repeated sacrifices. He was the perfect, sinless sacrifice that appeased the Father’s wrath. Paul wrote, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV).

When Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the Temple was torn, signifying that God has accepted the true High Priest’s atonement for sin. That High Priest is now seated at the right hand of Father God. In Hebrews, we read, “But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12 NKJV). In His high priestly prayer in John 17, Jesus tells His disciples He has finished the work that His Father sent Him to do. He now serves as our advocate, interceding on our behalf. He has completed His atoning work, but His intercessory work continues.

A DEBT PAID

Church seating and pews showed up in the thirteenth century in England. I, for one, am glad they are there and have become more comfortable than the original stone backless benches. But the comfort they provide doesn’t compare to what Christ has and is doing for us now. We can confidently take our seats, knowing the only one capable of fulfilling that work has paid our sin debt.

Have you accepted that Jesus Christ died for your sins and now sits at the right hand of God? We now have full access to God because of our Savior’s finished work and all-sufficient atonement for our sins.

How can you learn to trust Christ more each day? 

Father God, thank You for Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who became sin for me so that I might be declared righteous through Him. Thank You for providing the way to come boldly to Your throne of grace. I confess my need of You and ask You to forgive my sins. I invite You to be my Savior. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2021: No Place to Sit: Ben Cooper: All Rights Reserved