March 15, 2009
Evening Service

Hebrews 8

 

Heb 8:1-13  Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;  (2)  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 

• Now unless God is just fooling us, we see that Jesus is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.  He is the minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle.  The one the Lord pitched, and not the one that man pitched.

(3)  For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.  (4)  For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:  (5)  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount. 

• The writer is stating that Jesus could not be a priest while on this earth.  The priests were to come out of the Levitical tribe in which Jesus was not from that tribe.  He was of the tribe of Judah.
• And Jesus never said He was, or attempted to be one.  He knew He was under the O.T. laws, just like everyone else.  As a matter of fact it was prophesied that the Messiah would even magnify the law.     Isa 42:21  The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable.
• Now these earthly priests serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle:  Moses was told to make all things according to the pattern showed to him in the mount.
• In chapter 14 of the book of Exodus, we see God delivering Israel from the hands of Pharaoh.  This is one tremendous, miraculous, deliverance.
• After this glorious deliverance God continued to minister to Moses for the children of Israel. 
• Look at Ex. 24.  Read.
• Now through chapter 31, God continues to give instructions to Moses concerning every aspect of their worship, and their articles of worship.  These things that God gives Moses are just a shadow of the true things in the heavens. 
• Listen to Paul.  Col 2:16-17  Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:  (17)  Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
• Not only are these things shadows, but all the things given unto Moses in the mount are types, and shadows of the heavenly things, in which Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled them all.  Jesus said “I have not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill.”  And He did.  He showed mankind how that it could be lived.  He told us of all the things that He is, when He would say, “I AM”.

(6)  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 

• Better promises.  Oh so many wonderful promises, and He can, and will fulfill them all.

(7)  For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 

• I am so glad that we are not under ( an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth ). 
• There definitely was fault with what the O.T. covenant could do for us.  We had a nature to sin, and no way to correct it.  It would have been terrible.

(8)  For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:  (9)  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.  (10)  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:  (11)  And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.  (12)  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.  (13)  In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.