New Priesthood, Better Covenant

Lisa Monroe

Hebrews • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

Hebrews 8:1–6

Hebrews 8:7–13

New Covenant

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Jesus, Mediator of a Better Covenant

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Review Chapter 7

We learned a lot about the order of Melchizedek

the fact that Jesus inherited this priestly order and serves perpetually in this order

That He holds it forever because He will never die again

Since this order predated the Aaronic order, even the Levitical priests recognized the superiority of the Melchizedek order

Which the writer proved when he reminded the readers that Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek

Also, last lesson, in the writer’s discussion of the order of Melchizedek, we learned what it meant to be part of a different and better order

that everything associated with the priesthood must be different as well

the Law of Moses established the Aaronic priesthood, and it established the tabernacle where they served

therefore, if Jesus serves as a different priesthood, then He must be serving in a different tabernacle

if He is serving in a different tabernacle, then the earthly one must be inferior to the one that receives Jesus’ sacrifice

Jesus’ Ministry As our High Priest and Mediator Hebrews 8:1-6

Hebrews 8:1–6 ESV

1 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” 6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

Discussion Questions

Why do you think the writer specifically points out his main point?

Why is it significant that He is at the right hand of the throne of God?

What does the name for God “the Majesty” show us about Him?

What is a minister? What is a sanctuary?

What does the “true tabernacle” refer to?

What does the phrase “gifts and sacrifices” mean? Who are these offered to?

What “sacrifices” do we try to offer God instead of looking to Christ alone?

Our High Priest in the True, Heavenly Sanctuary

In the first two verses of this chapter the writer states his main point.

Take note of how he starts “Now the main point … is”

This opening phrase refers back to all we’ve been learning about Melchizedek in the previous chapter

But even after learning this, the writer informs the audience that they have not heard the main point yet

Understanding Jesus as the fulfillment of the order of Melchizedek is key to understanding the rest of his arguments

At the end of our study of Hebrews, we will find that understanding chapter 7 correctly is central to understanding most of the chapters to follow

So here is the main point: Jesus is a priest appointed to serve as a minister before the Living God in a Heavenly tabernacle

The writer refers to this tabernacle as a “true” tabernacle

It is not a tabernacle established by the Law given to Moses and Israel

It is one that is built by God, not man

This tabernacle is where true worship and true sacrifice take place

It is the one that God truly occupies

This tabernacle is the place where Christ serves as a High Priest

In verse 3, the writer says that every High Priest is appointed so they can serve God in the context of a tabernacle, by offering gifts and sacrifices

Since the Father calls Jesus our High Priest, then it must be that Jesus would perform the duties of a priest at an alter in a tabernacle

In verse 4 the writer points out that Jesus had no claim to serving in the earthly tabernacle

According to the Law of Moses, Jesus was not qualified to serve as a priest, since he wasn’t born of Aaron’s family - He was born of the tribe of Judah

He was disqualified from offering gifts and sacrifices

However, it was never the Father’s intent that His Son would be a priest under that earthly system

Jesus was designated to be a priest of a different order, as we read in Psalms 110

Christ’s Priestly Work Provided a Perfect Offering

Now we are able to begin to understand the importance of Jesus’ priesthood having a different origin than the Law given to Moses

Old Testament priests offered animal sacrifices

“Every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices” (v.3a)

But the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins (10:4)

But Jesus offers Himself, the perfect sacrifice

As a priest, “it is necessary … to have something to offer” (v.3b)

Chapter 7 taught Jesus was the only “perfect” sacrifice, allowing Him to offer Himself in our place” (7:26-28)

Therefore, the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament are a “shadow” and Christ is the reality

Christ’s Priestly Work is Done in Heaven Itself

In verse 5, the writer states that the tabernacle on earth was merely as copy, or shadow, of the Heavenly things

so, a shadow is the illusion, or suggestion, of something - but not the substance of that thing

in fact, when the Lord gave Moses the design of the tabernacle, He told Moses to be especially careful to follow the Lord’s instructions exactly

the reason for this is because Moses was building a tabernacle according to a pattern

This earthly tabernacle is built according to a pattern, then there must already exist another tabernacle from which this earthly tabernacle gets its design

The writer compares the earthly tabernacle to the Heavenly one

God gave Israel an earthly model of the Heavenly structure

It’s inferior in every way to the Heavenly one it’s patterned after

For a time, it served to give Israel, and the world, a sense of what God would accomplish on our behalf in His heavenly tabernacle

Until the High Priest of the Heavenly tabernacle appeared, the earthly model had to suffice

But when it was time to reveal that greater Priest, then it meant it was time for the Heavenly tabernacle to become the focus for men

And now with our High Priest in the true tabernacle, seated at the right hand of the Father, God’s children are directed to ignore the earthly tabernacle

However, this true tabernacle is not visible to us on earth

The Bible says one day, it will appear when we see the New Jerusalem appear in the New Heavens and Earth

But until then, we do have a “model” to help us see the glory of the one in Heaven

all members of the Body of Christ, all believers born-again by the Spirit, are the temple or tabernacle of God on earth

This “model” is built on a foundation of God’s Word, which was delivered by the prophets and apostles

And most importantly Christ Himself is the cornerstone of this building

The Spirit is working to fit us one to another, like stones being worked by a mason until all the sides and corners match up perfectly

The Spirit is working in our spirit smoothing out the rough edges of our nature

wearing away sin and fashioning us into men and women who reflect the glory of Christ

As a whole we are being formed into a building worthy of the King of Kings to indwell

But no matter how spiritually mature this building may become, it is nothing compared to the glory and holiness of the true tabernacle in Heaven

But until that time, we serve as a reminder of the glory to be revealed

We receive hope as we consider the changes taking place, within us and among us, for what we’ll see in Heaven

We must remember that God is capable of using fallen, sinful man and making us into something useful

Therefore, we should understand that we are God’s dwelling place, intended to reflect glory upon Himself, and goal is to use our bodies, our very lives for that same purpose

Paul tells us in Romans 12:1

Romans 12:1 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

The writer wants his readers to understand that with the installation of a Heavenly tabernacle with a better High Priest offering better gifts and sacrifices means the earthly tabernacle has been rendered irrelevant and unnecessary ...

Leaving them with the question of what does the that mean for the Old Covenant that established that earthly representation

This question will be explored by the writer over the next three chapters

The writer already stated in chapter 7, that a new priesthood would mean a new Law

Now in chapter 8 he’s said that a new priesthood means a new tabernacle

Also, the short answer to the question is that we much have a new and better Covenant

The comparison is between the Old Covenant given to Israel through Moses

And the New Covenant promised to Israel in Jeremiah 31

The New Covenant Hebrews 8:7-13

Hebrews 8:7–13 (ESV)

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. 8 For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” 13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

Discussion Questions

What is the first covenant?

What is the second covenant?

What did God mean “I did not care for them”?

What distinguishing marks does verse 10 show us about this new covenant?

Has verse 11 happened yet? When will this happen?

What is the main point of verse 13? so do we need to follow the Old Testament or not?

Understanding Covenants

Definition of “Covenant”

Covenants are like a contract or treaty between two parties (Good and His people)

Covenants have terms and conditions, blessings/curses, and covenant signs

The History of the Bible is a history of God’s Covenants

Ever since the fall, God has saved his people through the Covenant of Grace

People are always saved in the same way: by faith in the coming redeemer

Old Testament saints were saved by believing in Jesus, for example Abraham

The Covenant of Grace has various stages

Abrahamic Covenant: promises of salvation made the Abraham

Old (Mosaic) Covenant: promises to Abraham partially fulfilled in nation of Israel

New Covenant: promises to Abraham fully realized in Jesus

God does not reveal his plan of salvation all at once, but in stages. We are in the final stage.

Understanding the Glories of the New Covenant

The New Covenant was promised long ago by God (v.8)

The writer once again calls upon the Old Testament by quoting Jeremiah 31:31: “Behold the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah”

Over many generations, Israel had been waiting for God to do something new and special

Now look at the promise of the New Covenant, it was made with Israel/Judah: the followers of Jesus are the true Israel

The problem with the Old Covenant (v. 7, 9)

First problem: The Old Covenant itself was faulty (v.7)

Not meaning that the Old Covenant was bad, sinful, or wrong

Just meaning the Old Covenant was unable to accomplish what it promised

Second problem: the Old Covenant people were faulty (v.8-9)

“They did not continue in my covenant” (v.9); Also, “For He finds fault with them” (v.8)

The Israelites broke their “wedding vows” to God and ran off with idols

God understands what it is like to be rejected

So what is new about the New Covenant? (v. 10-12)

The New Covenant focuses on the heart by the power of the Spirit (v.10)

Where the Old Covenant was marked by external rites and a focus on commands, causing many Israelites to only participate outwardly

In the New, God “writes them [his laws] on their hearts” (v.10)

This is not suggest that God does not care about law-keeping, but now we are empowered to doit by the pouring forth of the Spirit on greater measure (Ezekiel 36:26-27; Acts 2:1-4)

Real change must begin internally

The New Covenant renews and unifies the people of God (v.11)

In the Old Testament, there were many within Israel that did not have a personal relationship with God

However, under the New Covenant, there is a revival among God’s people so that “all know me” (v.11)

Jesus provides real/final forgiveness of sins (v.12)

The Old Covenant looked forward to the forgiveness of sins, but never actually accomplished it because animals can’t take away sins

Through Christ, true/full forgiveness is finally realized: “I will remember their sins no more” (v.12)

The New Covenant is Better than the Old

In verse 6, we see that “the covenant he [Christ] mediates is better”

The Old Covenant now becomes “obsolete” (v.13)

the writer is telling his readers that there is no need to go back to the Old Covenant

He is not saying that the Old Testament is not relevant

It is an important part in God’s redemptive plan, just not the ultimate end

Homework Questions

Do you ever struggle with doubts whether the work of Jesus is really able to save us? How does this passage provide us reassurance?

What are some of the “sacrifices” we offer to God to try to gain His favor and love? How does this passage help you fight this temptation?

How does the final, completed work of Christ allow us to obey Him and serve Him more freely?

What is one area you need to apply the principles in this chapter to your life?

In what ways do you still struggle with keeping God’s law only on an external basis? How do verses 7-13 help you?

How does the new covenant actually make us (perhaps unexpectedly) better law-keepers? What does that say about the role of grace in our lives?

How does the rejection of God buy Israel help you handle rejections in your own life?