Jesus Mediates A Better Covenant

Sermon Passage: Hebrews 8:1-13

Introduction:

As you read through the book of Hebrews you'll notice that the author of this book goes to great lengths to explain his point. It seems to us that there is quite a bit of repetition. This is great for our learning process. It also goes to what we find in scripture that when something is repeated it is done for emphasis. Anything repeated is done so that you will pay attention and understand the importance of what is being said. i.e. holy, holy, holy

Throughout chapters 1-7, the author is showing these Hebrew Christians and us as well, what we have needed. But now, he begins to tell us that what we have needed is exactly what we now have. We have exactly what we need in Christ because what we need is Christ and only Christ.

In chapter 8 the writer contrasts the Old and New Covenants. Understanding the importance of covenants is key to our understanding the history and culture of Israel and why this passage was included in a letter to Greek speaking Hebrew Christians.

A covenant is an agreement or contract established for relating to someone; it is the terms of a relationshipI'll read the passage and you can follow along in your Bible or on the screens.

Read Passage: Hebrews 8:1-13

Hebrews 8:1–13 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. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. 8 For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, 9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” 13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

This is the Word of the Lord. Let's ask him to give us understanding and faith to obey.

In this passage, the writer is really upfront with us and serves us well by outright stating the main thrust of his argument. His entire argument about the security of the New Covenant is going to be based on the fact that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father ministering on our behalf.

Let’s take a look at the old and new covenants in contrast.

Both covenants were initiated by God. Both were designed to bring the people into a special relationship with God and also with each other.

The old covenant was made by God with Israel when he rescued them out of slavery in Egypt. This covenant created the nation if Israel.

The new covenant is the one God made with His church when Jesus died for the church and rose from the dead three days later. The new covenant created the church, what we refer to as the true spiritual Israel.

The first covenant was inferior due tot he fact that it did not contain a guarantee from God that it would not be broken. In fact, Israel did break it. But according to verse 10...

I. The New Covenant has a better sanctuary. (v.1-2)

A. The place is better (8:1): It is located in the heavenly sanctuary.

In verse 2 and 5 there’s a tent referred to. This is a reference to the tabernacle. When Israel was led by God out of Egypt, God gave Moses the plans for the tabernacle. This was a tent of meeting where God met with His people. This was before God had told them to build the temple and so as they wandered they had this mobile place to meet with God.

The tabernacle was set up with human hands after the pattern God had given. But according to Hebrews, Jesus Christ fulfills His ministry in a tabernacle set up by God and not by men.

The tabernacle was a tent on earth. It was real. It existed but was not where full salvation was won. Our salvation takes place in the true sanctuary in heaven. Humans did not make our salvation. It was done by God.

B. The priest is better (8:2): Jesus himself ministers in this sanctuary.

The new covenant has a better high priest. We don’t have a high priest from the tribe of Levi who ministers on behalf of the people. We have a better high priest. Jesus Christ, the Son of God sits at the right hand of God and ministers in the true sanctuary of our salvation.

Our superior high priest has offered up a superior sacrifice.

II. The New Covenant has a better sacrifice. (v. 3-5)

Verses three through five give us details of the priest’s duties in the tabernacle.

A. The levitical priests offered up animals in the earthly sanctuary (8:4).

When the priest would go in, they didn’t go in without something to offer. He would take a sacrifice. The scripture tells us that he had to have something to offer.

Jesus didn’t fit into the line of the priests of Levi descended from Aaron. He wasn’t an earthly priest. He ministers in the heavenly tabernacle and brings a superior offering, a superior sacrifice. In verse five we see that the earthly, levitical priests, “serve as a copy and shadow of heavenly things.” Al Mohler points out the way the cultural context of the original audience may have played into their understanding of this language:

“Since the author wrote to Jewish Christians immersed in Greek culture, it’s important to note the language of shadow. His audience probably would have been familiar with Plato’s parable of the cave. Plato (ca. 429–347 BC) argued that our knowledge is like that of a man who is kept in a fire-lit cave and only sees the shadows of real objects when he looks at the cave’s walls. Plato believed we only know things as shadows of the original; the real object cast the shadow in the firelight.”

In telling them it’s a shadow of things to come, the author is teaching them and us how to read the Old Testament. It’s a dim display of the glory of God and pointed to something greater.

B. The Lamb of God offers up himself in the heavenly sanctuary (8:3).

Everything in the old covenant was designed specifically to point forward to Jesus Christ. The point was never that they would continue in the old covenant ways of worship. The point was always that this system that God had established through Moses was a shadow. It was a sign pointing to something greater that was needed and was coming.

III. The New Covenant has a better security.

The new covenant is held with a better security than was provided by the old covenant.

A. The old agreement was mediated by Moses (8:5, 7–8a).

1. It was ruined by Israel’s sin (8:7–8a).

If it was faultless, there wouldn’t have been a need for another covenant but as it is, Israel’s sin was proof of the need for a better covenant. They broke the covenant.

2. It was written on dead stones (see Ex. 32:15).

Exodus 32:15 ESV

15 Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets that were written on both sides; on the front and on the back they were written.

B. The new agreement is mediated by Christ (8:6, 8b–13).

1. It is restored by Jesus’ sacrifice (8:6, 8b–9).

2. It is written on living hearts (8:10–13).

The writer calls back to the prophet Jeremiah and quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34.

Jeremiah 31:31–34 ESV

31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 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. 34 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.”

The new covenant is not written on stone tablets but on living hearts. This illustrates yet another difference and reason that makes the new covenant superior to the old covenant. The old covenant relied on religious ritual and sacrifice of animals that was insufficient but the new covenant affects and changes living hearts of the people who are included in the covenant. It’s not about outward performance but inward change at the very base of who we are. That change will work it’s way to the outside but it starts with a new heart.

Conclusion and call for response:

To wrap this all up: The new covenant is not just better but it is superior in every way. Jesus is the fulfillment of all of the hints, and foreshadows, and promises in the old covenant.

Luke 22:37 ESV

37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.”

Grk: Telos - fulfillment

“This might be semantics but the New Covenant and Christ go together like the Old Covenant and Moses. So the covenant of Moses and the covenant of Christ. I think that’s a valid assertion since Christ is the better Moses, mediator of a better covenant (Heb 9). So Moses pointed to one greater. Moses was a type for the archetype of Christ. The telos of Moses was Christ just as the telos of the OC is the NC. Telos communicates the aim of the OC and its role in relation to the NC. That’s important, especially for Christians unfamiliar with the OT due to neglect of it. Yet the entire book of Heb is showing how the OT points to all of this. Ultimate to the heater might imply the OC is of no value or relevance. Yet Telos firmly places the OC in value and in relevance for the NC believer. Moses is not irrelevant. He gave the law on the mountain, then the new Moses gave the law on the mountain and took it to a whole new level (or one can argue rightly interpreted what the law of Moses was all about) they are tied. That’s why I advocate for telos. That said, maybe I’m over thinking this and I am supremely confident in your discernment to know what’s best for the people God has give you to shepherd.” - Jon Hawkins (reword)

Jesus - gospel

BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD ABOVE

VERSE 1 Before the throne of God above I have a strong and perfect plea A great High Priest whose name is love Who ever lives and pleads for me My name is graven on His hands My name is written on His heart I know that while in heav’n He stands No tongue can bid me thence depart No tongue can bid me thence depart

VERSE 2 When Satan tempts me to despair And tells me of the guilt within Upward I look and see Him there Who made an end to all my sin Because the sinless Savior died My sinful soul is counted free For God the Just is satisfied To look on Him and pardon me To look on Him and pardon me VERSE 3 Behold Him there, the risen Lamb My perfect, spotless Righteousness The great unchangeable I AM The King of glory and of grace One with Himself, I cannot die My soul is purchased by His blood My life is hid with Christ on high With Christ my Savior and my God With Christ my Savior and my God