Jesus: Our Superior High Priest and New Covenant

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus as the Ultimate High Priest

Jesus serves as the superior High Priest in a heavenly sanctuary, offering Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice. Unlike the temporary and repetitive sacrifices of the old covenant, His sacrifice is once and for all, providing eternal redemption and access to God. This profound truth highlights the sufficiency and supremacy of Christ's work on the cross, which transcends the limitations of the old covenant and ushers believers into a new era of grace and mercy. As our High Priest, Jesus intercedes on our behalf, ensuring that we have a constant advocate before the Father. [04:27]

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 as your High Priest change the way you approach God in prayer today?

Day 2: The New Covenant

The new covenant is characterized by an internal transformation where God's laws are written on our hearts, rather than external adherence to the law. This covenant promises a personal relationship with God, where we instinctively know and do what is right. It signifies a shift from a legalistic approach to a relational one, where God's mercy and grace are abundantly available to all who believe. This transformation is not just about following rules but about aligning our hearts with God's will, allowing His Spirit to guide us in our daily lives. [36:32]

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 can you invite God to write His laws on your heart today, transforming your thoughts and actions?

Day 3: The Tabernacle as a Shadow

The Old Testament tabernacle was a shadow of heavenly realities, with every detail symbolizing deeper spiritual truths. It serves as a blueprint for our spiritual journey, emphasizing the necessity of atonement, sanctification, and fellowship with God. The altar of sacrifice, representing the cross, was the first step into God's presence, highlighting the need for atonement for sin. The laver, symbolizing sanctification, followed, underscoring the need for cleansing before entering into deeper fellowship with God. These elements are not just historical artifacts but are reflective of the spiritual journey of every believer and the church as a whole. [08:18]

Hebrews 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf."

Reflection: What part of your spiritual journey do you feel needs more attention—atonement, sanctification, or fellowship with God? How can you take a step in that area today?

Day 4: Building According to God's Pattern

Just as Moses built the tabernacle according to God's precise instructions, we are called to build our lives, families, and churches according to His divine pattern. This ensures His presence and blessing in our midst. By aligning our lives with God's blueprint, we create an environment where His presence can dwell and His purposes can be fulfilled. This requires intentionality and obedience, as we seek to understand and implement God's design in every aspect of our lives. [24:53]

Exodus 25:8-9 (ESV): "And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to align more closely with God's pattern? What practical steps can you take to make this alignment happen?

Day 5: Inclusion in the New Covenant

The new covenant extends beyond Israel to all who believe, making us spiritual descendants of Abraham. This inclusivity invites us to partake in the promises and blessings of God, transforming our relationship with Him. As believers, we are called to embrace this identity and live in the fullness of God's promises, recognizing that we are part of a larger spiritual family. This understanding should inspire us to live lives that reflect God's love and grace to those around us, inviting others into this covenant relationship. [33:24]

Galatians 3:28-29 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise."

Reflection: How can you actively embrace your identity as a spiritual descendant of Abraham today, and how can you extend the invitation of the new covenant to those around you?

Sermon Summary

In Hebrews chapter 8, we explore the profound truth of Jesus as our superior High Priest, who serves in a heavenly sanctuary, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. Unlike the earthly priests who offered animal sacrifices, Jesus' sacrifice is once and for all, transcending the limitations of the old covenant. The old covenant, established with Israel at Mount Sinai, was based on adherence to the law, which the people failed to uphold. This failure necessitated a new covenant, one that is not written on tablets of stone but inscribed on our hearts and minds. This new covenant promises a personal relationship with God, where His laws are internalized, and His mercy is abundant.

The tabernacle, as described in the Old Testament, was a shadow of the heavenly reality. Every detail of its construction was divinely instructed, symbolizing deeper spiritual truths. The altar of sacrifice, representing the cross, was the first step into God's presence, emphasizing the necessity of atonement for sin. The laver, symbolizing sanctification, followed, highlighting the need for cleansing before entering into deeper fellowship with God. These elements are not just historical artifacts but are reflective of the spiritual journey of every believer and the church as a whole.

The new covenant, mediated by Jesus, offers better promises and a more excellent ministry. It is not based on external adherence to the law but on an internal transformation that aligns our hearts with God's will. This covenant is inclusive, extending beyond Israel to all who believe, making us spiritual descendants of Abraham. As believers, we are called to build our lives, families, and churches according to God's divine pattern, ensuring His presence and blessing in our midst.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus as the Ultimate High Priest: Jesus serves in a heavenly sanctuary, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice. Unlike the temporary and repetitive sacrifices of the old covenant, His sacrifice is once and for all, providing eternal redemption and access to God. [04:27]
2. The New Covenant: The new covenant is not about external adherence to the law but about an internal transformation where God's laws are written on our hearts. This covenant promises a personal relationship with God, where we instinctively know and do what is right. [36:32]
3. The Tabernacle as a Shadow: The Old Testament tabernacle was a shadow of heavenly realities, with every detail symbolizing deeper spiritual truths. It serves as a blueprint for our spiritual journey, emphasizing the necessity of atonement, sanctification, and fellowship with God. [08:18]
4. Building According to God's Pattern: Just as Moses built the tabernacle according to God's precise instructions, we are called to build our lives, families, and churches according to His divine pattern. This ensures His presence and blessing in our midst. [24:53]
5. Inclusion in the New Covenant: The new covenant extends beyond Israel to all who believe, making us spiritual descendants of Abraham. This inclusivity invites us to partake in the promises and blessings of God, transforming our relationship with Him. [33:24]
** [33:24]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to Hebrews 8
[00:31] - The Role of the High Priest
[01:10] - The New Covenant Promised
[02:28] - Jesus as the Better High Priest
[03:42] - The Heavenly Sanctuary
[04:27] - Jesus' Sacrifice
[05:18] - Earthly vs. Heavenly Priesthood
[06:22] - The Tabernacle's Divine Pattern
[09:03] - Importance of Obedience
[14:01] - God's Presence and Obedience
[17:30] - The Spiritual Journey
[24:53] - Building According to God's Pattern
[26:18] - The Better Covenant
[36:32] - The Law Written on Our Hearts

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 8:1-13
- Exodus 40:16-34

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Observation Questions:

What distinguishes Jesus' role as a High Priest from the earthly priests according to Hebrews 8? [00:09]
How does the new covenant differ from the old covenant as described in Hebrews 8:10? [01:47]
What was the significance of Moses building the tabernacle according to the pattern shown to him? [09:03]
How does the sermon describe the tabernacle as a shadow of heavenly realities? [08:18]

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Interpretation Questions:

Why is Jesus' sacrifice considered superior to the sacrifices of the old covenant? How does this impact our understanding of redemption? [04:27]
In what ways does the new covenant promise a more personal relationship with God compared to the old covenant? [36:32]
How does the concept of the tabernacle as a shadow influence our understanding of spiritual truths and our journey as believers? [08:18]
What does it mean to build our lives, families, and churches according to God's divine pattern, and why is this important? [24:53]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on the idea of Jesus as the ultimate High Priest. How does this understanding affect your daily walk with God and your approach to prayer and worship? [04:27]
The new covenant is about internal transformation. What steps can you take to ensure that God's laws are written on your heart and mind? [36:32]
Consider the tabernacle's role as a shadow of heavenly realities. How can you apply the principles of atonement, sanctification, and fellowship in your spiritual journey? [08:18]
Building according to God's pattern ensures His presence and blessing. What specific changes can you make in your life or family to align more closely with God's divine pattern? [24:53]
The new covenant extends to all who believe, making us spiritual descendants of Abraham. How can you embrace this inclusivity in your interactions with others, especially those who are different from you? [33:24]
Reflect on the importance of obedience as demonstrated by Moses. Are there areas in your life where you struggle with obedience to God's instructions? How can you address these challenges? [14:01]
How can you ensure that your church community reflects the spiritual truths symbolized by the tabernacle, such as fellowship, prayer, and communion? [20:05]

Sermon Clips

We have such a high priest who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the law directed are not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, therefore it is necessary that this one also have something to offer. [00:00:17]

For if that first covenant had been faultless then no place would have been sought for a second, because finding fault with them he says, behold the days are coming says the lord when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers. [00:01:15]

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days says the lord, 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. None of them shall teach his neighbor and then his brother saying, know the lord, for all shall know me from the least of them to the greatest of them. [00:01:43]

The tabernacle itself was had walls but they it had four layers of covering over the top. So he, where verse 19. He spread out the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering of the tent on top of it, as the lord commanded Moses. And then in verse 21 he brought the ark into the tabernacle. [00:12:08]

The point that Exodus is making is that Moses does everything exactly as God tells him, and when he finished it, God descends and his glory fills the tabernacle. In other words, there is a direct connection between God's presence and Moses's obedience, in God's presence and Moses doing exactly what God told him to do. [00:14:08]

The altar represents the cross and the point is that you cannot come into God's presence unless you come through the cross. You cannot come in the Old Testament into God's presence unless sacrifice has been made for your sin. That's the first thing that must be addressed, and unfortunately today we move the cross away. [00:16:26]

The tabernacle is primarily a picture of Jesus but it is also a picture of the church. Every detail of the tabernacle can be interpreted in the light of the church. How do we do that let me illustrate that very quickly so the first thing you come to is the cross, the first thing that anyone coming into the body of Christ must be confronted with is the gospel. [00:18:20]

The church is made up of people who are human flesh, but they we have upon us God's character. We've been made holy, we've made been made acceptable in his presence he's given us his nature, and so while we're human we're covered with divinity we're covered with gold. They stand in sockets of silver silver speaking of God's redemptive work. [00:21:41]

If that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. So, did God make a mistake in making the covenant? Well, it wasn't God who made the problem, had the problem but verse 8 says because finding fault with them, with the people, he says behold the days are coming say the lord when I will make a new covenant. [00:31:16]

The problem was the people's unwillingness, and I wouldn't say inability, because God would not make a covenant that you cannot keep, but their unwillingness to keep their end of the bargain, and of course, we see what happened to Israel. God, they go through these periods and you know the history of Israel is like the graph of the stock market. [00:31:37]

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, a very different law. Remember the law in the old testament was written on tablets of stone, the ten words the ten commandments. It says that law is no longer going to be external. [00:36:26]

We will know instinctively what the right thing to do is. He goes on in the in the next chapter we'll speak about that later, you will no longer need anyone now it doesn't mean that there are no ministries we know in the new testament there are teachers that teach us, but you will not need anyone to tell you this is right this is wrong. [00:37:32]

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Jesus: Our Superior High Priest and New Covenant

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus as the Ultimate High Priest

Day 2: The New Covenant

Day 3: The Tabernacle as a Shadow

Day 4: Building According to God's Pattern

Day 5: Inclusion in the New Covenant

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Jesus: Our Superior High Priest and New Covenant

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