Hebrews, Day 4
JESUS CHRIST IS THE BEST
“Minister of a Better Sanctuary”
Hebrews 8 – 10
The high priest of a new covenant (Hebrews 8)
The author of the book of Hebrews is in the midst of explaining to the Jews that Jesus Christ was the BEST and FINAL sacrifice for the sins of human beings. In His position as High Priest that was given to Him by God the Father, He is doing his priestly duties in heaven in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man (Verses 1 – 2). The instructions on how to build the earthly tabernacle that were given to Moses were the model of the true tabernacle in heaven. God gave a covenant to Israel (Old Covenant) through Moses that was conditional. The nation of Israel agreed with the conditions of this covenant. But over the following centuries, they continued to sin and were unfaithful to the Old Covenant with God. Because of their continued sins and unfaithfulness, God turned away from them. He promised a New Covenant with the house of Israel.
Old Covenant: “’Now if you obey Me fully and keep My covenant, then out of all nations you will be My treasured possession. Although the whole earth is Mine, you will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. The people all responded together, ‘We will do everything the Lord has said.’ So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord” (Exodus 19:5 – 8).
New Covenant: “I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:10 – 12).
Worship in the earthly tabernacle (Hebrews 9:1 – 10)
The author of Hebrews describes the inside of the earthy tabernacle. The first room (Holy Place) had specific furniture. Behind the second curtain was a room (Most Holy Place). Throughout the year, the priests entered the Holy Place regularly to conduct their daily ministry. Only the high priest entered the Most Holy Place that was behind the curtain once a year with animal blood to offer a sacrifice for himself and the sins of Israel that they committed in ignorance. “The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings — external regulations applying until the time of the new order” (Hebrews 9:8 – 10, NIV).
The blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:11 – 28)
In heaven, Jesus Christ as the High Priest enters the heavenly tabernacle that was not made by man, with blood that was not from animals but the blood of the unblemished sacrifice of Jesus Christ Himself. “For this reason, Christ is the mediator of a New Covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance — now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant” (Hebrews 9:25, NIV).
Christ’s sacrifice once for all (Hebrews 10:1 – 18)
The daily and annual sacrifice for the nation of Israel that the earthly priests and high priest made could never take away the sins before the eyes of God. But when Jesus offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. It was a sacrifice for the forgiveness of all sins of mankind. And when they have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.
A call to persevere (Hebrews 10:19 – 39)
“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25, NIV).
Application
As I reflect back on this devotional, I look at Hebrews 8:12. God says that He will forgive their wickedness and “remember their sins no more.” What an example that is to us as believers in Christ. That example is when someone sins against us and genuinely repents and asks for our forgiveness, we should remember no more. No retaliation, no getting even, no waiting period before reconciliation.
WHEN HE FORGAVE THEM OF THEIR SIN, HE REMEMBERED THEM NO MORE — PERIOD.
“TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE!”
Blessings from Carlton Ringer