Begin with two minutes of silence and stillness before God.
I can remember being nineteen in Calculus at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, utterly lost without hope on my first day of class. Looking back now, I can see just how helpful my instructor was in guiding me around the many obstacles I faced as a student who struggled with math. Like any good instructor, his method of teaching such a difficult subject was simple:
Create a foundation of fundamental ideas.
Build the course topics based on that foundation.
Bring the topics together into real-world utility.
In Hebrews 8, we reach a culmination of the idea of the “High Priest.” The foundation of this concept is laid out at the end of chapters 6-7. In Hebrews 6:19-20, we read about a “hope that enters the presence behind the veil.” In Hebrews 7, we read about the scriptural basis on which that “hope” is found coming from the Order of Melchizedek. In this chapter, the author brings together these ideas to show us the big picture - what Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross means for us.
In verses one and two, the author states Christ’s authority as a different sort of “high priest” than what early Christians were used to. Unlike the priests appointed from the Levitical Priesthood, Jesus’ ministry is in God’s heavenly tabernacle, not a manmade structure. Verse one even describes Jesus as being on the right side of the heavenly throne. As we move through the first section of chapter eight, we see a comparison between the earthly priest and the High Priest, Jesus. Where the Levitical Priesthood strived to copy and adhere to the laws laid out for them in Exodus by God through Moses, as mentioned in verse five, Jesus is the fulfillment of the law. Where the Levitical Priesthood offered gifts and sacrifices for themselves along with the Jewish people, Jesus made a one-time sacrifice bearing the sin of the entire world for eternity in exchange for a better covenant that has been made to us by God. That covenant is the promise that “whosoever believes in him shall have everlasting life,” and that Christ is our intercessor as mentioned in Romans 8:25.
So, what makes this covenant better than the first? As we know, sin equals death. Regardless of how we look at it, in order for our sins to be reconciled to God, blood must be shed. The old covenant required sacrifice after sacrifice in order to cleanse the nation of Israel of its sins. The old law served only the purpose of showing our need for a Savior and our inevitable condemnation without one. Under the new covenant, Christ came “not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.” What a beautiful picture we have of the God of love and life becoming death for our sakes. Of course, we can’t forget that Christ defeated death for our sakes as well and now is seated at the right hand of the Father. Because of the new covenant, the old has “been made obsolete,” meaning the fulfillment of the prophecy quoted in verses 8-13.
“I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”
Because of Jesus, as Christians, we are considered God’s people. As you go throughout your day, allow yourself to reflect on God’s unyielding faithfulness that we are able to experience as His people.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.