Hebrews 8
by Philip Layton
Jesus Christ is the High Priest of a new covenant
Discussion Questions
- Would you agree that verse 5 indicates that there is a heavenly tabernacle?
- If so, does this help explain why the laborious detail of the Old Testament priesthood and tabernacle had to be followed so precisely?
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Going Deeper From 'Words of Life'
But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises (8:6).
We read of covenants God made with people in the Old Testament. In this Scripture, the author refers to the one made with Moses on Mount Sinai. He then states that this covenant is obsolete (8:13) since no one could fulfil their side of it. Because of this, God replaced the ‘obsolete’ covenant with a new one – Jesus as the High Priest:
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant (9:15).
Jesus was not a Levite; rather, from the tribe of Judah – therefore ‘disqualified’ from becoming a priest. The Levitical priesthood was far from being a good model for the Lord. Christ, then, was to follow a new order: the order of Melchizedek, timeless and perfect.
Jesus entered the Holy of Holies, once and for all time. He was willing to forgive our sins; to mediate on our behalf; to bring us peace, offering grace and giving us freedom. It’s mind-boggling! Christ has done all of this, and continues to do so for those who claim him as Redeemer.
How should we respond to the Mediator of the New Covenant?
Beverly Ivany
Tags: Hebrews