Hebrews 8 – Superior Covenant
The definition
of a covenant is an agreement, a contract, a pact, or a treaty. The first covenant had many regulations for
the tabernacle and for worship. Only the
high priest could enter the inner room of the tabernacle once a year to offer
sacrifices for the sins for himself and for the people. These sacrifices were only a temporary fix
and not able to cleanse the peoples’ consciences. God said He would make a new covenant and
put His laws in the minds and hearts of the people. He would forgive them of their wickedness and
remember their sins no more (Heb. 8:12). This new covenant was Jesus.
The new covenant
offers what the old cannot. It offers
eternal life. Now we can go directly to
God without a need for an earthly priest or mediator. God says our sins will not be
remembered. How can God not remember
our past sins? - Because He chooses
not to. God is either the God of perfect
grace or He is not God. Grace
forgets. He who is perfect love cannot
hold grudges.
How does the
new covenant give you hope in your daily life?
If God has
forgiven your sins, why do you still hold on to guilt?
Principle: God’s
new covenant promises believers a new life and new nature with His sufficient,
sustaining grace.
Hebrews 9 – Superior Sanctuary
There were many
regulations and limitations with the old covenant. There were regulations as to worship and also
an earthly sanctuary. The tabernacle
emphasized the presence of God in the midst of His people. It was built in a particular way with an
inner room called the Most Holy Place.
That was where God’s presence was.
The earthly tabernacle emphasized God’s holiness and His inaccessibility
due to their sins. No one could enter
the inner room but the high priest. He
could enter only once a year and never without blood, which he offered for
himself and for the sins of the people. This had to be done over and over each year to
cleanse their sins.
Why was the
shedding of blood necessary? It’s the way the Sovereign God ordained
it. God cannot tolerate sin. Without the shedding of blood there can be no
forgiveness of sin. He cannot just
forgive sins because He is just. Blood
makes atonement for sin. (Leviticus 17:11) “For the life of a creature is in the blood and I have given
it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that
makes atonement for one’s life.”
The
New Covenant is heavenly not earthly. It
is free from the ravages of time. When
Jesus died on the cross, the curtain of the temple which was the barrier
between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place was supernaturally torn in two. This symbolized the way to God was now open
through the death of Christ. Christ became
the High Priest. He entered the Most
Holy Place once for all by His own blood having died on the cross for our
sins. The curtain was torn and now
people have access to God. The curtain
is Jesus. His blood cleansed our consciences
and through Him we have obtained eternal redemption. By the shedding of His blood we are set free
from our sins and have the promise of eternal inheritance. “Therefore, brothers
and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood
of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is,
his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw
near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith
brings.” – Heb. 10:19-22.
Christ
was sacrificed once to take away the sins of the people and He will appear a
second time to bring salvation to those who are waiting on Him. (Heb. 9:28). He was our substitution. He stood in our place. This is the love of God. When God sees us He doesn’t see our sins, He sees
the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
How do you
know with certainty you are in perfect standing with God? Romans 8:1 “There
is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Principle: Jesus
Christ’s sacrifice of His own blood provides our access to God.
How is this truth
changing your motives?
What does it
mean to you?
Hebrews 10 – Superior Sacrifice
The Old
Testament sacrifices were a shadow of things to come. They didn’t clear the peoples’ consciences or
solve the sin problem. They were a
continual reminder of sin. Jesus is the
real thing. Everything else is a shadow
or a copy. Only Jesus gives us access to
God. It is Jesus who saves. Christ’s sacrifice was once and for all. We now can enter the Most Holy Place,
because of the blood of Jesus our Great High Priest.
How can you
apply this confidence to your life?
Draw near to God with a sincere
heart in full assurance of faith.
Hold unswervingly to the hope you
profess for He who promised is faithful.
Consider how you may spur others
toward love and good deeds.
Don’t give up meeting together with
others.
Encourage one another all the more
as you see the Day approaching.
Do not throw away your confidence
when exposed to insult and persecution.
You need to persevere and do the
will of God so you will receive what God promised.
Don’t comprise your beliefs.
There is one sin
that cannot be cleansed by Jesus’ blood.
That is the sin of rejecting Jesus as Lord and Savior. When a person rejects Christ and His cross,
he will face God’s judgment and spend eternity separated from God. He will be in eternal Hell. (Heb.
10:30-31) “… It is mine to avenge; I will repay,
and again, The Lord will judge his people.
It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Principle: Jesus’
superior covenant makes forgiveness of sin permanent.
God keeps His
promises. Forgiven forever is an amazing
promise.
Do you know
He’s gone through extreme measures for you?
Are you using your access
to God?
Join me here
next week as we continue our study of Hebrews. -- I
encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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