Hebrews 8:1-13
Hebrews 8 addresses the question: Would you rather live in the old covenant or the new covenant? The author lays out why the new covenant is better, highlighted by verse 6.
Four Reasons Why the New Covenant Is Better Than the Old
- A high priest who is seated in Heaven (v. 1) … The old covenant had a high priest and other priests that acted as mediators between God and His people. The high priest resided in Jerusalem. Our high priest in the new covenant resides in Heaven. In Jerusalem, there was no seat where the high priest worked because his work was never done; there were always more sacrifices to be made. Jesus sits in Heaven because He has made one sacrifice that covers all the sin of those who put their faith in Him.
- The Spirit’s inner transformation (v. 10a) … The old covenant had the law. It was meant to guide the lives of God's people, but it didn't change the people. The new covenant has brought the Holy Spirit into the lives of believers and the Holy Spirit works on us from the inside to change us into the people we were created to be.
- A personal relationship with God (vv. 10b-11) … In the old covenant, only the priests and a few select others had direct relationships with God. In the new covenant, we all have direct, personal relationships with God. Instead of needing to go through a priest, we can go directly to God. It's a marvelous thing that we can have such a relationship with the Creator of the universe. It's also something we sometimes take for granted, but we should be grateful for this relationship and take care to not forget it or devalue it.
- Total forgiveness of sin (v. 12) … In the olf covenant, the judgment for the people's sins were delayed year after year. But in the new covenant, they are forgiven and covered in blood when we confess them and ask forgiveness.
For Further Study/Resources Used to Prepare This Message
- Exalting Jesus in Hebrews by Albert Mohler
- Hebrews for You by Michael Kruger
- Hebrews REC by Richard Phillips
- Hebrews: Preach the Word Commentary by Kent Hughes
- Hebrews ESV Expository Commentary
- Hebrews by Grant Osborne
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