Today’s Reading: Hebrews 8

Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands. – Hebrews 8:1-2

A FAR BETTER TABERNACLE WITH FAR BETTER MATERIALS

And since every high priest is required to offer gifts and sacrifices, our High Priest must make an offering, too. If he were here on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there already are priests who offer the gifts required by the law. They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.” – Hebrews 8:3-5

God gave Moses instructions to build a place of worship that would mirror the heavenly Tabernacle. Moses followed the pattern carefully, but the earthly Tabernacle would pale in comparison because it was made with earthly materials and by human hands. In the same way, God gave Aaron instructions for the priestly duties carried out in the earthly Tabernacle. Their obedience would provide for the short-term atonement of sins and the worship of God, but it would be a mere shadow of the real place of worship in heaven.

A FAR BETTER SYSTEM WITH FAR BETTER WORSHIP

But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is FAR superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a FAR better covenant with God, based on better promises. – Hebrew 8:6

Wow! That’s exciting! We have probably all read through the book of Hebrews before, but this verse has the potential to breathe new life into our day if we take the time to ponder it again. As the angels said, this is good news that brings great joy! Jesus negotiated a new agreement or a new covenant with God on our behalf, and it has made all the difference in the world to us.

A FAR BETTER COVENANT WITH FAR BETTER PROMISES

God keeps His promises so “better promises” does not say He did not keep His original promises. The problem was that the old covenant written on stones was broken by God’s people, not by Him. Now there is a new covenant, written not on stones but in our minds and on our hearts, declaring that we are God’s people — that He is our God (8:7-10). This was made possible by the blood of Jesus, our High Priest.

“But this is the new covenant I will make
with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their minds,
and I will write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
And they will not need to teach their neighbors,
nor will they need to teach their relatives,
saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’
For everyone, from the least to the greatest,
will know me already.
And I will forgive their wickedness,
and I will never again remember their sins.” – Hebrews 8:10-12

A FAR BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH FAR BETTER ACCESS

By his death on the cross, Jesus closed the distance between the Heavenly Father and His earthly creation. We no longer have to go through an earthly priesthood to gain an audience with our Creator. We are known by Him and have access to a personal relationship with our Lord. He is our God and we are His people, with the words of God filling our minds and the promises of God written on our hearts. When we accept the gift of salvation made perfect through the perfect sacrifice of our perfect High Priest, our sins are forgiven. Our past is no longer held against us, but we are made new by a far better covenant relationship with God.

Our hearts are overwhelmed with gratitude this morning as we sit at your feet, Lord. Thank you for the reminder of who you are and what you have done for us. We are so unworthy of the blessings of your perfection, yet you allow us to know you; we are so unworthy of your attention, and yet you grant us audience to your holiness. Thank you for this reminder today. Thank you for your love and for the forgiveness we experience through the gift of your Son. Amen.