Jesus: Our Eternal High Priest and New Covenant

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus, Our Eternal Advocate

Jesus serves as our eternal High Priest, a role that surpasses the Levitical priesthood due to its eternal and unchangeable nature. Unlike the earthly high priests who entered the Holy of Holies annually to offer sacrifices for their sins and those of the people, Jesus entered heaven itself, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. He now sits at the right hand of God, making intercession for us, a position affirmed by numerous scriptures. This assures us of His continual advocacy and support in our spiritual journey, providing us with confidence and hope in our relationship with God. [01:55]

Hebrews 7:24-25 (ESV): "But he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on Jesus' intercession and advocacy? How can you remind yourself of His eternal presence and support today?

Day 2: The Fulfillment of the Heavenly Reality

The earthly tabernacle, with its Holy of Holies, was a mere shadow of the heavenly reality. The meticulous construction of the tabernacle was to reflect the heavenly scene, as seen in Revelation. Our High Priest, Jesus, did not enter this earthly model but the actual presence of God, offering His own blood as the propitiation for our sins. This signifies the fulfillment of the old covenant and the establishment of a new, more excellent ministry. Jesus' sacrifice in heaven marks the completion of the old system and the inauguration of a new way of relating to God. [16:27]

Hebrews 9:11-12 (ESV): "But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption."

Reflection: How does understanding Jesus' role in the heavenly reality change your perspective on worship and your relationship with God? What steps can you take to align your life more closely with this heavenly reality?

Day 3: The Transformative Power of the New Covenant

The old covenant, based on the law, was insufficient due to human failure to uphold it. God, recognizing this, promised a new covenant, not based on human faithfulness but on His own. This new covenant, established through Jesus, is written on our hearts, transforming us from within. It is no longer about external adherence to the law but an internal transformation that aligns our desires with God's will. This covenant of grace opens the door for us to partake in God's promises, not based on our faithfulness but on His. [46:07]

Jeremiah 31:33-34 (ESV): "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced the internal transformation of the new covenant in your life? How can you cultivate a deeper alignment with God's will in your daily actions and decisions?

Day 4: Trusting in God's Faithfulness

The new covenant stands because it is predicated on God's faithfulness. Our relationship with God is no longer about our ability to keep the law but about His promise to be merciful to our unrighteousness and remember our sins no more. This assurance allows us to rest in His grace, knowing that our standing with God is secure because of His unwavering faithfulness. It invites us to trust in His promises and live confidently in the freedom He provides. [46:27]

2 Timothy 2:13 (ESV): "If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself."

Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you struggle to trust in God's faithfulness? How can you actively remind yourself of His promises and choose to rely on His grace today?

Day 5: Embracing the Joy of the New Covenant

As believers, we are called to live in the reality of the new covenant, where God's laws are written on our hearts. This internal transformation leads us to delight in doing God's will, finding joy and fulfillment in serving Him. Living in the new covenant means embracing the freedom and grace it offers, allowing it to shape our desires and actions. It is an invitation to experience the fullness of life that comes from walking in step with God's purposes and finding joy in His presence. [49:09]

Psalm 40:8 (ESV): "I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper joy in serving the Lord and living out the new covenant in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to ensure that God's laws are not just known but cherished in your heart?

Sermon Summary

In our exploration of Hebrews chapter 8, we delve into the profound truth of Jesus as our great High Priest, a role that surpasses the Levitical priesthood. This chapter continues the discussion from Hebrews 7, emphasizing the superiority of Jesus' priesthood, which is eternal and unchangeable. Unlike the earthly high priests who entered the Holy of Holies annually to offer sacrifices for their sins and those of the people, Jesus entered heaven itself, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. He now sits at the right hand of God, making intercession for us, a position affirmed by numerous scriptures.

The earthly tabernacle, with its Holy of Holies, was a mere shadow of the heavenly reality. The meticulous construction of the tabernacle was to reflect the heavenly scene, as seen in Revelation. Our High Priest, Jesus, did not enter this earthly model but the actual presence of God, offering His own blood as the propitiation for our sins.

The old covenant, based on the law, was insufficient due to human failure to uphold it. God, recognizing this, promised a new covenant, not based on human faithfulness but on His own. This new covenant, established through Jesus, is written on our hearts, transforming us from within. It is no longer about external adherence to the law but an internal transformation that aligns our desires with God's will.

This new covenant opens the door for us Gentiles to partake in God's promises, not based on our faithfulness but on His. It is a covenant of grace, where God is merciful to our unrighteousness and remembers our sins no more. This is the essence of the gospel, a message of hope and redemption through Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus as Our Eternal High Priest: Jesus' priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood because it is eternal and unchangeable. Unlike earthly priests, Jesus offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice and now intercedes for us at the right hand of God. This assures us of His continual advocacy and support in our spiritual journey. [01:55]
2. The Heavenly Reality: The earthly tabernacle was a shadow of the heavenly reality. Jesus, our High Priest, entered not the earthly model but heaven itself, offering His own blood for our sins. This signifies the fulfillment of the old covenant and the establishment of a new, more excellent ministry. [16:27]
3. The New Covenant of Grace: The old covenant was flawed due to human inability to uphold it. God promised a new covenant, based on His faithfulness, not ours. This covenant, established through Jesus, is written on our hearts, transforming us from within and aligning our desires with God's will. [46:07]
4. God's Faithfulness Over Human Effort: The new covenant stands because it is predicated on God's faithfulness. Our relationship with God is no longer about our ability to keep the law but about His promise to be merciful to our unrighteousness and remember our sins no more. [46:27]
5. Living in the New Covenant: As believers, we are called to live in the reality of the new covenant, where God's laws are written on our hearts. This internal transformation leads us to delight in doing God's will, finding joy and fulfillment in serving Him. [49:09]
** [49:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Introduction to Hebrews 8
[01:05] - Jesus, Our Great High Priest
[03:37] - Summation of Jesus' Priesthood
[04:47] - Jesus at the Right Hand of God
[06:08] - Scriptural Affirmations of Jesus' Position
[08:23] - Jesus as Our Mediator
[09:17] - Satan, the Accuser
[11:31] - Jesus' Intercession for Us
[12:13] - The True Tabernacle
[16:27] - Jesus' Sacrifice in Heaven
[19:01] - Transition to the New Covenant
[21:00] - The Fault of the Old Covenant
[29:24] - The Land's Sabbath Rest
[39:36] - Modern Idolatry
[46:07] - The New Covenant in Our Hearts
[49:09] - Joy in Serving the Lord
[54:57] - The New Covenant's Assurance

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Hebrews Chapter 8

Bible Reading:

Hebrews 8:1-13
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 110:4

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Observation Questions:

What is the significance of Jesus being described as our "great High Priest" in Hebrews 8, and how does this role differ from the Levitical priesthood? [01:05]
How does the earthly tabernacle serve as a shadow of the heavenly reality, and what does this imply about Jesus' priesthood? [16:08]
What are the key differences between the old covenant and the new covenant as described in Hebrews 8? [19:01]
How does the sermon describe the role of Jesus at the right hand of God, and what scriptures affirm this position? [08:23]

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Interpretation Questions:

In what ways does the eternal and unchangeable nature of Jesus' priesthood provide assurance to believers today? [01:55]
How does the concept of the earthly tabernacle being a shadow of heavenly things enhance our understanding of the new covenant? [16:27]
What does it mean for God's laws to be written on our hearts, and how does this internal transformation differ from external adherence to the law? [46:07]
How does the new covenant, based on God's faithfulness rather than human effort, change the way we approach our relationship with God? [46:27]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on the idea of Jesus as our eternal High Priest. How does knowing that He intercedes for you at the right hand of God impact your daily spiritual life? [01:55]
The sermon mentions that the earthly tabernacle was a model of the heavenly scene. How can this understanding influence the way you view your worship and relationship with God? [16:08]
Consider the new covenant being written on our hearts. What specific areas of your life need transformation to align more closely with God's will? [46:07]
The new covenant is based on God's faithfulness. How can you rely more on God's promises rather than your own efforts in your spiritual journey? [46:27]
The sermon discusses the joy of serving the Lord. What are some practical ways you can find joy and fulfillment in serving God in your current circumstances? [49:09]
Reflect on the idea that God is merciful to our unrighteousness and remembers our sins no more. How does this truth affect your understanding of forgiveness and grace in your life? [52:20]
The sermon highlights the importance of living in the reality of the new covenant. What steps can you take this week to live more fully in the grace and promises of the new covenant? [49:09]

Sermon Clips

We have such a high priest who is set at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in the heavens. He is a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices. [00:12:06]

Our great high priest has not entered into the holy of holies here on earth, but he's entered into heaven itself. He is at the right hand of the throne of majesty in the heavens. When the high priest asked Jesus, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Highest?" Jesus said, "I am." [00:04:31]

The old covenant was the earthly priest going into the holy of holies within the tabernacle and later the temple with the sacrifices for the people. But God is going to establish a new covenant through Jesus Christ, a better covenant based upon better promises. [00:19:01]

The old covenant failed because it was predicated upon man's faithfulness. The new covenant shall stand because it's predicated upon God's faithfulness. And here's the wonderful thing about this new covenant: there are no tables of stone out here that says, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." [00:46:27]

God promised and a new heart will I give unto them. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "If any man be in Christ Jesus, he's a new creature and the old things are passed away, and everything becomes new." So God now writing in my heart his law, that is, he's working from within. [00:47:44]

The joy of my life is serving the Lord. I can't think of doing anything else. I have no desire just to spend the rest of my life on a tennis court or something. That would become boring very quickly. The joy of serving the Lord, he's written his law in my heart. [00:49:09]

God said, "I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." In that glorious, who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God who has justified you. Who is he that condemneth? [00:54:57]

The new covenant through Jesus Christ, because it was established by him, when Jesus had the last supper with his disciples, when he took the cup after supper, he said, "This cup is a new covenant in my blood, which is shed for the remission of sins." [00:45:15]

The earthly tabernacle was just the model of the heavenly scene, and that is why there was to be such exactness in the construction of the tabernacle and the holy of holies, because this is a model of heaven. So the earthly priest would go into the model. [00:16:27]

The problem wasn't with the covenant. The covenant itself was good. Paul said concerning the law, it is holy, it is righteous, it is good. The problem wasn't with the law. The problem wasn't with the covenant. The problem was with the people and their unwillingness to keep the covenant. [00:35:00]

The old covenant was predicated upon man's faithfulness to God. Man did not remain faithful to God, and so God promised he would establish then a new covenant. The days will come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel. [00:43:44]

The new covenant is established in my heart. God comes in and he transforms my life. God promised and a new heart will I give unto them. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "If any man be in Christ Jesus, he's a new creature and the old things are passed away." [00:47:44]

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Jesus: Our Eternal High Priest and New Covenant

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus, Our Eternal Advocate

Day 2: The Fulfillment of the Heavenly Reality

Day 3: The Transformative Power of the New Covenant

Day 4: Trusting in God's Faithfulness

Day 5: Embracing the Joy of the New Covenant

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Jesus: Our Eternal High Priest and New Covenant

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