Hebrews 8:1-6: Jesus Mediates a Better Covenant

Introduction

Scripture

Hebrews 8:1–6 ESV

1 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” 6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

Outline

Hebrews 1-2 - Jesus is Greater Than the Angels

Hebrews 1:1-4 - God has Spoken

Hebrews 1:5-14 - The Son is Superior to the Angels

Hebrews 2:1-4 - A Warning

Hebrews 2:5-9 - Lowliness to Crowning Glory

Hebrews 2:10-18 - Jesus has Delivered His Brothers

Hebrews 3:1-4:13 - Jesus is a Greater Rest

Hebrews 3:1-6 - Jesus is Worthy of More Glory Than Moses

Hebrews 3:7-19 - Disobedience After the Exodus

Hebrews 4:1-13 - A Sabbath Rest for God’s People

Hebrews 4:14-7:26 - Jesus is Greater than Melchizedek

Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus is the Great High Priest

Hebrews 5:1-10 - Jesus is the High Priest After the Order of Melchizedek

Hebrews 5:11-6:20 - Warning and Exhortation

Hebrews 5:11-14 - Failure to Mature

Hebrews 6:1-8 - Pursue Maturity

Hebrews 6:9-12 - Loving Motivation

Hebrews 6:13-20 - The Promise of God’s Word and God’s Oath

Hebrews 7:1-10 - The Greatness of Melchizedek

Hebrews 7:11-19 - Jesus’ Priesthood is Needed

Hebrews 7:20-28 - Jesus Guarantees a Better Covenant

Hebrews 8:1-10:18 - Jesus is the Greater Covenant

Hebrews 8:1-6 - Jesus Mediates a Better Covenant

Hebrews 8:1-3 - A High Priest in the Heavenly Tabernacle

Hebrews 8:4-5 - A Shadow of Heavenly Things

Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant

Purpose of Book

Christ, who has accomplished salvation through His atoning sacrifice, is greater than all things; therefore, persevere in true faith and encourage others to do likewise

Main Point

Jesus, ministering in the heavenly tabernacle, is the high priest of a better covenant

Hebrews 8:1-3 - A High Priest in the Heavenly Tabernacle

Hebrews 8:1–3 ESV

1 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer.

***Christological exposition at it’s finest***

Hebrews Vol 1&2—An Anchor for the Soul 1: The Eloquence of God

Expanding souls encounter an expanding Christ! And this is why I am particularly enthused about these study volumes on the book of Hebrews, for that epistle has a double dose of growth-producing power—first, because it presents the greatness of Christ as no other New Testament writing does, and, second, because it repeatedly demands a response from the reader. Seriously considered, Hebrews will make us grow and find a bigger Christ.

Now the point in what we are saying is this:

Here is the main point of Hebrews 4:14-7:26

Jesus is the fulfillment of Psalm 110 in the Melchizedekian priesthood

We have such a high priest,

One who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Ephesians 1:20 ESV

20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,

Colossians 3:1 ESV

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Seated at the right hand

Psalm 110 ESV

A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” 2 The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! 3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. 4 The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” 5 The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. 6 He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth. 7 He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore he will lift up his head.

A minister in the holy places,

Holy places

The entire sanctuary

In the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.

Tent

Tabernacle

Jesus’ ministry is conducted in the heavenly tabernacle, not here on earth

For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices;

Offer gifts and sacrifices

Thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer.

Something to offer

Jesus offered something far greater than the Levitical priests

Jesus offered His own body and His own blood - Further developed in this section

Hebrews 7:27 ESV

27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.

Hebrews 8:4-5 - A Shadow of Heavenly Things

Hebrews 8:4–5 ESV

4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”

Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law.

Jesus’ priesthood is not an earthly priesthood

Jesus was not a priest after the Mosaic law, but after the order of Melchizedek

They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things.

The Levitical priests did not serve in the eternal, heavenly temple

The earthly tabernacle was patterned after the heavenly tabernacle, but was limited

The earthly tabernacle pointed forward to a greater tabernacle

For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying,

“See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”

Exodus 25:40 ESV

40 And see that you make them after the pattern for them, which is being shown you on the mountain.

Moses 40 days on the mountain with God and receives the pattern for the tabernacle

Exodus 25:9 ESV

9 Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.

Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant

Hebrews 8:6 ESV

6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old

The ministry of Christ surpasses that of the Levitical priests

As the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

Covenant

Contrasts will be shown between the two covenants

Sinai

Mediated by Moses

Jesus

Heart transformation and complete purification of sin

Better

Superior

Application

In Jesus, we have a great high priest sitting at the right hand of God. He brought a better ministry and covenant on better promises. Why would we turn to the previous covenant?

Main Point

Jesus, ministering in the heavenly tabernacle, is the high priest of a better covenant