Hebrews 8:1-2 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, (2) a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.
I have emphasized in bold and italics what caught my attention. It sounds a lot like a summary, right? The writer could have easily said, "In conclusion..." So, in previous chapters we have had a review of why Jesus' sacrifice was the better way for salvation and redemption of sins. Now, in Chapter 8, the writer is saying "everything else was just a copy, or shadow, of the original, who is Jesus Christ. We see in verse 1 that Jesus is exalted as He takes His place at the right hand of the throne of God. Verse 2 talks about the service He performs as a High Priest. Remember, the priests were descended from the tribe of Levi with the responsibility to perform sacrifices in the tabernacle for the people and their sins. So, just as the Levitical priests had sacrifices to make, Jesus as The High Priest also had a sacrifice He had to make. He gave His life as the final sacrifice for all.
Hebrews 8:4-6 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; (5) who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, "SEE THAT YOU MAKE ALL THINGS ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN." (6) But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.
The Levitical priests offered sacrifices according to the law, which the writer says was a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. But through Jesus Perfect and Final Sacrifice of His life for ours, He has "obtained a mroe excellent ministry." He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established (built upon) better promises. What better promises could we have through the ministry of Jesus Christ than these:
- A friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24)
- An ever present help in time of need (Psalm 46:1)
- An endless Provider (1 Timothy 6:17)
- A strong tower (Proverbs 18:10)
- Mighty Warrior (Isaiah 9:6)
- Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)
- Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
- Merciful God (Micah 7:19)
And He is so much more...
We have seen several times so far in Hebrews a recurring theme: The Law given to Moses was only a foreshadowing of the covenant that was to be established by Christ through His death and resurrection. The Law was imperfect and its priests could not offer lasting remediation for sin. The people had to continually offer sacrifices for their sins. Under the new covenant, our High Priest, Jesus Christ,provided the final sacrifice once...and for all of us.
Look at verses 7 thru 12. The first covenant, the Law given to Moses, had some fault because if not, there would have been no reason for Jesus to be born, live, minister to the people, be beaten and crucified, die, rise again, and ascend to the right hand of the Father. None of that would have been necessary if the law had been able to provide the salvation forevermore and unto eternal life that Jesus provides for us.
In verses 8-12, the writer quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34. God said that He would establish a new covenant with Israel not like the one they did not keep, but a new and different covenant: He said He would put His laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. He would be their God and they would be His people. Everyone would have the opportunity to know Him. He would be merciful to our unrighteousness and would not remember our sins and lawlessness anymore.
Isn't it wonderful we have the opportunity to know our God personally? We can go directly to Him and kneel at His feet with nothing between Him and us? Not only do we go to directly to Him, but when Jesus ascended into Heaven, He sent us a Helper.
John 16:7-14 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. (8) And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (9) of sin, because they do not believe in Me; (10) of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; (11) of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. (12) "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. (13) However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. (14) He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
What a great fulfillment of promise! God said He would make a new covenant with the people, and He did through the sacrifice of His Son. He also fulfilled the promise that said He would put His laws into the hearts and minds of the people. Look at the verses in John 16. The Helper, the Holy Spirit, comes to convict the world of sin and righteouness and judgment and of sin. Jesus also said,
Matthew 5:27-28 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.' (28) But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Jesus even said the law now was based in the heart, instead of the tablets of the commandments. Not only is the physical act of adultery a sin, but just looking upon a woman (or man) with lust as though we wish to complete the physical act, is a sin and is considered the same as though we have committed the act itself. The Holy Spirit is with us to help provide that compass of right and wrong, sin and righteousness, and reveal all the things of Jesus to us. The Holy Spirit is a Helper that will help us to keep our eyes forward and on Jesus.
Psalms 105:4-6 Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore! (5) Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth, (6) O seed of Abraham His servant, You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!
Don't you love the Psalms? I do. This Psalm speaks to exactly what we have been talking about the last couple of months, doesn't it? Seek the Lord, His strength and remember what He has done! So, have you written in our journal the things the Lord has done for you under this new and better covenant?
Tomorrow, we will cover the last verse of chapter 8. There is much infomation packed into just that one verse.
Have a wonderful day, today my friends, and join our discussion on Facebook.
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