Hebrews 8

Shawn Bumpers

Hebrews • Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago

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Introduction**

Over the past few weeks, starting in chapter 5, the author of Hebrews has taught us about the High-Priesthood of Jesus Christ.

We have learned that the High-Priesthood of Christ is greater than the High-Priesthood of Aaron or any of those who were made High-Priests under the law.

To prove his point, the author spoke about the earthly and then pointed us toward the heavenly.

And in that study, I used terminology like “Type,” “Copy,” “Pattern,” and “Shadow.”

Typology is a special kind of symbolism, or that which represents something else.

Type is from the Greek word typos (too-pohs) and refers to a person, event, or institution in the redemptive history of the Old Testament that prefigures a corresponding but greater reality in the New Testament.

Another way to put it is that it can be a person or thing in the former system that is an earthly copy of a heavenly reality.

So then, a type is a copy, a pattern, or a model that signifies an even greater reality.

Or it can be a person or thing in the former system that is an earthly copy of a heavenly reality.

Other things, such as David’s battle with Goliath would be an illustration or an analogy of a greater truth.

The author of Hebrews uses the words ἀπαράβατος hypodeigma meaning “pattern, model, example” and translated as “copy” and σκιά skia meaning “shadow, shade” and translated as such.

In verse 5 of this chapter, the author uses these words in reference to the ministry of earthly priests under the law.

The priests, the tabernacle, it’s furnishings, operation and sacrifices were all copies of heavenly realities … and this is something we’ll get to soon enough.

The most important ministry of the earthly priests under the Law … operating under the Mosaic system … was to open the way to God for others.

And this is one of the keys in this book.

But another way of looking at this is using shadow to point people to reality.

The earthly Temple is a simple sketch of the real Temple of God.

The earthly Temple is a pale copy of the real Temple of God; earthly worship is a remote reﬂection of real worship; the earthly priesthood is an inadequate shadow of the real priesthood. All these things point beyond themselves to the reality of which they are the shadows.

Earthly worship is a shadow of real worship.

The earthly priesthood is an inadequate shadow of the real priesthood.

All these things point beyond themselves to the reality of which they are the shadows.

records how God showed Moses the real version after which the earthly copy was patterned.

There it says:

Genesis 25:40

Exodus 25:40 NKJV

And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.

So, God had shown Moses the real pattern which was then copied in an imperfect form.

There are people who reject much of the epistles of the New Testament because they love the shadow more than the reality.

(You see, there are people who reject much of the epistles of the New Testament because they love the shadow more than the reality.)

And so I should explain.

The Torah absolutely does contain timeless commands that reflect God’s nature.

And so it is of great value.

And the New Testament does not cancel out the Old Testament … the New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament.

The Torah contains temporary laws that are directed at a deeply sinful people living in a flawed culture during a specific period of time in history.

Jesus fulfilled those laws.

And with His perfect sacrifice he satisfied the requirements of the law.

And with His perfect sacrifice, the Levitical priesthood ended.

And as the author in the last chapter said:

Hebrews 7:12 NKJV

For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.

With the end of the Levitical Priesthood there was a change to the priesthood.

The priesthood that was before the giving of the law remained … a priesthood without beginning or end … a priest without beginning or end.

That is what the author of Hebrews referred to as the order of Melchizedek.

Now, we have talked a whole lot about this historical Melchizedek and how the author of Hebrews uses that historical priesthood which pre-dated the Levitical priesthood to picture the priesthood of Christ.

Those recordings from the last month are available online in both video and audio.

You can go back and listen to them for the first time or review them, so we won’t re-hash what we’ve already talked about.

----

So, the writer to the Hebrews says that the earthly priests have a service which is merely a shadowy outline of the heavenly order.

In other words … The earthly priesthood was just a shadow to point people to the reality.

And then to carry this to it’s true point ... only Jesus can lead people into the presence of God.

And the author of Hebrews deals more with this today.

But he also answers the question .... is there anything that can minimize the superiority of Jesus Christ?

Jesus Christ is God’s superior Priest; but is there anything that can minimize this superiority?

Jesus Christ is God’s superior Priest; but is there anything that can minimize this superiority? Nothing! For He ministers on the basis of a better covenant (), in a better sanctuary (), and because of a better sacrifice (). It is the better covenant that is the theme of this chapter. The writer presented three evidences for the superiority of this covenant.

And I don’t want to spoil it for you, but there is nothing that can do this.

Jesus ministers on the basis of a better covenant, in a better sanctuary, and because of a better sacrifice.

We’ll see the better covenant today in chapter 8.

We’ll see the better sanctuary later in chapter 9.

And we’ll see the better sacrifice in chapter 10.

So then, it is the better covenant that is the theme of this chapter.

So, let’s pray and then get into what the author has to say about this better covenant.

Prayer: Lord, as we embark to study your Word, we ask that our hearts would be open to receive all that You have to say to us. We desire to be hearers and doers and for You to lead us in Your ways. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

v1-2

It Is Ministered by a Superior High Priest ()

We might get the impression here that the author is reasoning in circles.

First he spends multiple chapters showing the superiority of Christ, and then says, “Since He is superior, the covenant He ministers must be a superior covenant.”

But he is not working in circular reasoning … he’s being really logical.

As he explained earlier, Jesus is the superior priest.

A superior priest could never minister on the basis of an inferior covenant.

Instead, that which is imperfect must change.

If an inferior priesthood changes to the perfect one, then the inferior covenant must also have changed.

Now, earlier in chapter 7 and verse 22 we recognized the first occurrence of the word διαθήκη diathēkē which is translated “covenant or also testament.”

It’s a word that is used 21 times in Hebrews.

And it carries a deeper meaning of “distribution of property by will.”

In regards to a better priest ministering a better covenant … you can have the most gifted lawyer in the world, but he could only do so much with an inadequate will.

It is unthinkable that our Lord would minister on the basis of an inferior “last will and testament.”

And so, while the author is moving on to the point of all those things which came before being shadows of the better, real, things to come … the primary argument is still the supremacy of Christ.

“This is the sum” simply means, “This is the main point and the climax of my discussion.” He then presented several “summary arguments” to prove that our Lord is indeed a superior High Priest.

And so he says this is the “main point” the κεφάλαιον kephalaion … which speaks of a sum of value.

Christ is quite valuable to us … because, as the author said in chapter 7, He is “fitting for us.”

That is, He is just right to meet our needs.

Do not read below:

Hebrews 7:26 NKJV

For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;

Wow … just really let that sink in … Jesus Christ is morally perfect.

This statement refers us back to . “For such an high priest became us [was suited to us]” (). The fact that Jesus Christ is morally perfect and yet identified with us in our needs and temptations makes Him superior to any other priest, past or present. Those of his readers who wanted to go back into the Old Testament priesthood would have to leave this suitable High Priest.

And yet He identified with us in our needs and temptations and was willing to be the propitiation for our sins

The Levitical priest was himself a sinner.

But Jesus was perfect and spotless … and this makes Him superior to any other priest, past or present.

Those who were thinking about returning to the Old Testament system would also have to leave this suitable and fitting High Priest.

Those of his readers who wanted to go back into the Old Testament priesthood would have to leave this suitable High Priest.

----

Look at that word … “seated” there in verse 1 … Jesus is seated.

This echoes God’s oath of

Psalm 110:1 NKJV

The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”

When Stephen saw Jesus as he was dying from being stoned for his faith, Jesus was standing as if to applaud his faith.

But much more important is the fact that Jesus is here pictured seated on the throne of Majesty.

That is because His seated position means His work is completed.

If you read back through the furnishings of the Tabernacle in Exodus you will find that there is no chair listed among them.

There were no chairs in the Old Testament tabernacle.

This is because the work of the priests was never finished.

Every sacrifice made over and over was only a reminder that none of the sacrifices ever provided a finished, completed salvation.

In simple terms … The blood of animals did not wash away sin.

Nor did it settle the guilty conscience.

All it could do was cover sin until that day when Jesus Christ died to take away the sin of the world.

----

Now, it’s not just the fact that Jesus Christ is “seated”that is important.

It is where He is seated.

This adds glory to His person and His work.

He is seated on the throne in heaven at the right hand of the Father.

This is not a new concept for this letter … back in chapter 1 and verse 3 it reads:

Hebrews 1:3 NKJV

who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

And this truth is so wonderful that it’s mentioned again here and then later in chapters 10 and 12.

This is the fulfillment of that oath which we read before.

And it is unique to Melchizedek, who was both king and priest AND Jesus Christ who is both King and Priest.

The earthly high priest of Israel never sat down in the tabernacle, nor did the priest sit on a throne.

And the earthly kings of Israel may have sat on the throne, but they were not to perform the duties of the priest.

Only a priest who was of a different order outside of the Law of Moses could be enthroned in such a way.

And that is Christ of the “order of Melchizedek” … a royal priesthood that pre-dated the giving of the Law and was both priestly and royal.

for Melchizedek was both king and priest ().

Of course, we can’t ignore the fact of where Jesus is seated … He’s at the right hand of the Father … AND in heaven.

That is οὐρανός ouranos meaning “heaven; sky.”

But it can also be used to communicate ideas like God’s domain which is the Kingdom of Heaven or even God Himself.

Here, it’s the idea of Jesus being highly exalted.

Back in chapter 4, it says that Jesus, our Great High Priest, “passed through the heavens.”

He is now, as says, exalted with, “All things under His feet,” and as “Head over all things.”

Do not read below:

Ephesians 1:22 NKJV

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

Ephesians

Verse 2 tells us that He is minister of the Sanctuary … which is actually the Greek Word for Holy and refers to the Holy Place of the Tabernacle … the True Tabernacle which the LORD set up.

The fact that He ministers in a heavenly sanctuary is important to the argument presented in this chapter.

So we’ll dig into this idea more as we progress this morning.

----

So then, given these things it is logical that our Lord ministers on the basis of a superior covenant.

We have a high priest who is perfect and sinless.

Would such a high priest minister on the basis of a covenant that could not change human hearts?

Would a priest who has completed his work minister from a covenant that could complete nothing?

Would a perfect Royal High Priest be limited by an imperfect covenant?

You may remember from last week reading:

Hebrews 7:19 NKJV

for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Hebrews 7:19

Can we conceive of a king-priest in the highest heaven being limited by an Old Covenant that made nothing perfect? ()

The conclusion seems reasonable.

The presence of a superior High Priest in heaven demands a superior covenant if He is to minister effectively to God’s people.

v3-5

It Is Ministered in a Better Place ()

There is a marvelous truth here.

That is that Jesus Christ today ministers in the heavenly sanctuary.

In this paragraph, the writer expanded on the marvelous truth that Jesus Christ today ministers in the heavenly sanctuary.

And the author has a very good reason for addressing this given who was reading this letter.

The reason for this discussion is not difficult to determine.

At the time that this letter was written, there was a real temple in Jerusalem, and in that temple there were priests offering gifts and sacrifices.

It would be very easy to go back into the traditional Mosaic system.

Even today there are those on the extreme side and even not so extreme side of the Hebrew Roots movement who yearn for the shadow more than for the substance which is Christ.

The writer of Hebrews sees the earthly as a “copy and shadow” of the heavenly reality.

And that reality is just that … reality … Jesus really went there.

But, of course, that is not something we can see.

We cannot presently look up and see Jesus ministering on our behalf.

So then … how do we know that the Lord Jesus is ministering in a sanctuary?

After all, how do we know that the Lord Jesus is ministering in a sanctuary?

The Hebrews of the early 60s AD could go to Jerusalem and witness the ministry of the priests at the Temple.

But in regards to our Great High Priest … Has anyone actually seen Him in His high priestly work?

These are good questions … and the author of Hebrews gives us answers … logical answers, genealogical answers, and typological answers.

----

Jesus Christ is a High Priest … that argument has already been very well made.

But each High Priest had duties ... the title is not honorary … it’s not just title, but duty also.

Each Old Testament high priest was appointed “to offer gifts and sacrifices.”

Earlier in chapter 5, the author explained:

Hebrews 5:1 NKJV

For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.

Hebrews

And here we see that, “Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices.”

So then, as a priest Jesus must offer gifts and sacrifices

Therefore, Jesus Christ must offer gifts and sacrifices.

Of course, sacrifices were not offered just anywhere.

They must be offered in a place that is appointed by God … “the place which the LORD chooses” as puts it.

Do not read below:

Deuteronomy 12:13–14 NKJV

Take heed to yourself that you do not offer your burnt offerings in every place that you see; but in the place which the Lord chooses, in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all that I command you.

Again we take a step of logic here.

That appointed place is the sanctuary. The conclusion is logical: if Jesus Christ is a High Priest who offers gifts and sacrifices, then He must have a sanctuary in which He ministers. Since He is in heaven, that sanctuary must be in heaven.

If Jesus Christ is a High Priest who offers gifts and sacrifices, then there must be an appointed place in which He ministers.

That appointed place for the priests on earth was the earthly sanctuary.

That appointed place for Jesus to minister must be a heavenly sanctuary.

The conclusion is logical: if Jesus Christ is a High Priest who offers gifts and sacrifices, then He must have a sanctuary in which He ministers.

But Jesus is not there offering sacrifices in heaven that accord with the Old Testament sacrifices.

We must not, however, get the impression that our Lord is offering sacrifices in heaven that correspond to the Old Testament sacrifices. The word “somewhat” in is in the singular, and the phrase “to offer” is in a Greek tense that implies “offer once and for all.” On the cross, He offered Himself as the one sacrifice for sin forever (). In other words, our Lord is “a living sacrifice” in heaven. He is not offering Himself over and over because that is unnecessary.

In the original language this is made very clear.

The word “something” in verse 3 is singular in the Greek.

It speaks of one single offering.

And the phrase “to offer” is in a tense that implies “a singular, once for all presentation.”

On the cross, Jesus offered Himself as the one sacrifice for sin forever.

puts it this way:

Hebrews 9:24–28 NKJV

For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Hebrews 9:24

Our Lord is “a living sacrifice” in heaven.

In other words, our Lord is “a living sacrifice” in heaven. He is not offering Himself over and over because that is unnecessary.

He is not offering Himself over and over because that is unnecessary.

As we read in chapter 7, “He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession.”

Do not read below:

Hebrews 7:25 NKJV

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 7:

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Verse 4 gives us the genealogical answer.

We talked about this a bit last week.

Jesus was of the line of the tribe of Judah and as such, both genealogies in the Gospels demonstrate how Jesus belonged to the royal line.

This fulfilled God’s promise that the Messiah would come from the kingly tribe of Judah ().

But the royal line was not the priestly line.

The priests of Israel were the Levites … that is members of the tribe of Levi … descendants of Kohath, son of Levi.

Jesus was definitely NOT of that line.

So then, He had to be of another line of priests.

And the author has already stated that Jesus’ priesthood was according to the order of Melchizedek, who was outside of and pre-dated the Levitical priesthood.

With this the author is expounding upon what he said earlier:

Hebrews 7:11–14 NKJV

Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

If Jesus Christ were still on earth, He could not function as a priest.

The genealogical answer (v. 4). We have met this truth before in . As far as His human ancestry is concerned, our Lord came from the tribe of Judah. God had promised that the Messiah would come from the kingly tribe of Judah (). But the priests had to come from the tribe of Levi. Therefore, if Jesus Christ were still on earth, He could not function as a priest. But He can serve as High Priest in heaven because there the order of Melchizedek governs the ministry, not the order of Aaron.

But because He has ascended to the heavenlies and is at the right hand of the throne of Majesty, He can serve as High Priest not according to the earthly order of Aaron, but according to the eternal order of Melchizedek.

The approach of the author here in Hebrews is absolutely sound.

And it is upheld by scripture.

In , David predicted that the Messiah … that is Jesus Christ, would be a Priest.

We’ve read this, well, about 6 times already, but in case you’ve forgotten, says:

Psalm 110:4 NKJV

The Lord has sworn And will not relent, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”

Jesus’ earthly birth into the tribe of Judah would not permit Him to be an earthly priest.

The text here says, “If He were on earth, He would not be a priest.”

But those earthly priests, “Serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things.”

Jesus’ earthly birth into the tribe of Judah would not permit Him to be an earthly priest; therefore, He must be a Priest in heaven. He would not be accepted in the earthly sanctuary, so He must be serving in the heavenly sanctuary.

As our Heavenly High Priest, Jesus serves the reality.

And here’s the logic … He would not be accepted in the earthly sanctuary, so He must be serving in the heavenly sanctuary, and that is to our advantage, since He is eternal.

----

Now, this leaves the typological argument … which is bound up in those words, “copy and shadow of the heavenly things.”

A “type” is an Old Testament picture of a New Testament truth.

Everything that is a type is identified as such in the New Testament.

So then we should be careful that we don’t go outside of what the Bible identifies as a type.

The word “pattern” in this verse is the Greek word tupos, from which we get our English word “type.”

We are quite safe here because as we just read in verse 5, the author now identifies some types.

The priests then serving in the temple were actually serving in a sanctuary that was a copy (“very literally a sketch”) of the heavenly sanctuary.

The author quotes from to demonstrate that Moses received a pattern from God.

Moses saw this pattern on the mount and duplicated its essentials in the earthly tabernacle.

Now, this does not mean that the heavenly tabernacle is made up of skins and fabrics.

It is the basic pattern and meaning of the sanctuary that is emphasized here.

The true sanctuary is in heaven.

The tabernacle and temple were simple imitations or copies … sketches of what was real in heaven.

This is a very good reason for remaining faithful to Jesus Christ and not going back into Judaism.

The earthly priesthood and sanctuary seemed quite real and stable.

Again, you could go to the Temple and watch priests performing their duties.

In fact, observant Jews would return to Jerusalem during certain feasts and they would see the operations of the Temple and Priesthood first hand.

But what they saw was just copies of what was real!

The Old Testament system was but shadows.

Paul said so much in .

He warned:

Colossians 2:16–17 NKJV

So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

Colossians 2:17 NKJV

which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

The Law was a “shadow of good things to come.”

Now, I know a few very legalistic Christians who would be quite displeased by my saying that.

But, if you are put off by me saying it, you should know that the Bible says that very thing.

Hebrews 10:1 NKJV

For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.

Hebrews

We’re getting a little ahead of ourselves, but the point here is that the true and full light came in Jesus Christ.

The Law was but a “shadow of good things to come” (); the true and full light came in Jesus Christ. So why go back into the shadows?

The true and full light came in Jesus Christ. So why go back into the shadows?

So, then, why go back to shadows and copies?

----

In the Book of Revelation, there is a great description of the scene in heaven.

And in it we find parallels to the Old Testament tabernacle.

That being said, it is very hard for us to understand what is described because we have only seen the shadow for reference.

In it reads:

Revelation 11:19 NKJV

Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

So, John states that there is a temple of God in heaven.

But chapter 21 says:

Revelation 21:22 NKJV

But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

Obviously, there is something far greater going on here.

Of course, there will be no temple in the eternal state, because the entire city of God will be a temple ().

There is in chapter 6 the appearance of the brazen altar with, “The souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for their testimony” underneath it.

How does that work?

And in chapter 8 there is an altar of incense from which, “The prayers of the saints ascended before God.”

Chapter 4 pictures a sea of glass, which reminds us of the “brass sea” or “laver” which sat between the altar and the Holy Place in the Tabernacle.

Verse 5 of chapter 4 speaks of 7 lamps of fire burning before the throne, which suggests the seven-branched lampstand in the tabernacle.

There is something far greater going on there than what was copied by the tabernacle and later with the temple.

Since Jesus Christ is ministering in the original sanctuary, and not the copy, He is ministering in a better place. Why fellowship with priests who are serving in a copied sanctuary when you can fellowship with Christ in the original heavenly sanctuary? It would be like trying to live on the blueprint instead of in the building itself!

But it is clear that one is the reality and one is but a shadow of what is real.

Since Jesus Christ is ministering in the original sanctuary, and not the copy, He is ministering in a better place.

So then, the logic follows, why fellowship with priests who are serving in a copied sanctuary when you can fellowship with Christ in the original heavenly sanctuary?

It would be like choosing the blueprint over the building.

----

So now, the writer has given us 2 evidences of the superiority of the New Covenant:

It is ministered by a superior Priest, Jesus Christ; and

It is ministered in a superior place, heaven itself.

But we’re not done … There is a 3rd evidence.

He devoted the remainder of this section to the third evidence.

And the author devoted the remainder of this section to this 3rd evidence.

v6

The covenant which Jesus mediates is the New Covenant.

The covenant which Yeshua mediates is the New Covenant spoken of by Jeremiah in the passage quoted below (vv. 8–12). It is better than the covenant Moses mediated at Mount Sinai, as proved by vv. 6b–13.

It is the covenant spoken of by Jeremiah in the passage quoted in the next handful of verses.

It is better than the covenant Moses mediated at Mount Sinai.

So, not only is His ministry superior to the ministry of earthly priests.

But also the covenant over which He ministers is superior to the covenant by which the earthly priests ministered.

In , Paul speaks of Moses being the mediator of the Old Covenant in the giving of the law.

It Is Founded on Better Promises ()

records that the people were so frightened at Mount Sinai that they begged Moses to speak to them so that they would not have to hear God speak.

But this fear of God they first expressed did not linger.

And that is evidenced by how soon the people disobeyed the very Law they promised to keep.

But the New Covenant has a Mediator Who is also the Propitiation for the sins of believers.

He is the only sacrifice, He is the only Mediator.

Remember that says:

1 Timothy 2:5 NKJV

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

Christ’s ministry as Mediator is more excellent than that of the Old Testament priests because it is based on a better covenant.

And His covenant is founded on better promises.

Christ’s ministry as Mediator is more excellent than that of the Old Testament priests because it is based on a better covenant; and His covenant is founded on better promises.

The “better covenant” that is referred to in this paragraph found in the New Testament was announced in the Old Testament by the Prophet Jeremiah.

The promise was given in a prophecy that also assured the Jews of future restoration.

Now, Jeremiah ministered during the closing years of the nation’s history, before Judah went into Babylonian Captivity.

It was a time when the nation’s future seemed to be completely zilch … nothing.

But at that time, God gave the promise of restoration and blessing.

Before our Lord went to the cross, He celebrated the Passover with His disciples in the Upper Room.

That was when He instituted what we call “the Lord’s Supper” … which we shared together this morning.

He said, taking the cup, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.”

Mark 14:22–24 NKJV

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.

Do not read below:

Luke 22:20 NKJV

Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.

Later, in 1 Corinthians 11, the Apostle Paul quoted these words and applied them to the church.

Likewise, the writer of Hebrews stated clearly that Jesus Christ now “is the Mediator of the New Covenant” in chapter 9 and then repeats it in chapter 12.

Do not read below:

Hebrews 9:15 NKJV

And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Hebrews 12:24 NKJV

to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

What, then, is the relationship between this New Covenant which was promised to Israel, but is today experienced by the church?

Or perhaps the better question is, How can God promise these blessings to Israel and then turn around and give them to the church?

Well, let’s read on and see what we can deduce.

v7-9

Some people conclude that the church is “spiritual Israel.”

So then, the New Covenant promises belong to “Abraham’s spiritual seed” today.

Now, we have to make an important distinction here.

makes it clear that believers today are the “spiritual seed” of Abraham.

BUT this is not the same as saying that the church is “spiritual Israel.”

We should not overlook that the promise quoted in specifically names “the house of Israel and … the house of Judah.”

In Greek and Hebrew, these words do not mean anything different than they do in English … this speaks of Israel and Judah, which were the northern tribes and the southern tribes.

If we can change something as plain as that we can bend the Bible to mean anything we want … and then it means nothing.

Other students believe that this “New Covenant” has no present fulfillment in the church.

Other students believe that this “New Covenant” has no present fulfillment in the church, but that it will be fulfilled only when the Jews are regathered and the kingdom is established at our Lord’s return to earth in glory. But then we have the problem of explaining and 12:24, verses that state that Jesus Christ is today the Mediator of the New Covenant. To affirm that there are two “new covenants,” one for Israel and one for the church, is to create more questions!

Instead, they say it will be fulfilled only when the Jews are regathered and the kingdom is established at our Lord’s return to earth in glory.

But that creates problems with verses that state that Jesus Christ is the Mediator of the New Covenant TODAY.

Another option … that there are 2 different “new covenants,” one for Israel and one for the church, causes even more problems.

The answer is found in God’s principle of :

Romans 1:16 NKJV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

God did promise a New Covenant for His people.

Perhaps the solution is found in God’s principle of “to the Jew first” (). God did promise a New Covenant for His people, but the blessings of this covenant are wrapped up in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. He is the Mediator of the New Covenant. When Jesus began His ministry on earth, He went to His own people first (). When He sent out His disciples, He sent them only to Israel (). When He commissioned the church to witness, He instructed them to begin in Jerusalem (; ). Peter’s message at Pentecost was addressed only to Jews and to Gentiles who were Jewish proselytes (see , , ). In his second recorded sermon, Peter clearly stated that the Good News of the Gospel would go to the Jews first ().

But the blessings of this covenant are wrapped up in God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

He is the Mediator of the New Covenant.

When Jesus began His ministry on earth, He went to His own people, Israel, first.

Jesus Himself said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Do not read below:

Matthew 15:24 NKJV

But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

When He sent out His disciples, He sent them only to Israel.

When He commissioned the church to witness, He instructed them in to begin in Jerusalem.

Luke 24:46–48 NKJV

Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.

Do not read below:

Acts 1:8 NKJV

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

In his first sermon, Peter spoke only to those who were in Jerusalem for the feast … this would have been mostly Jews.

In his second sermon in , Peter clearly stated that the Good News of the Gospel would go to the Jews first.

In his second recorded sermon, Peter clearly stated that the Good News of the Gospel would go to the Jews first ().

But the nation rejected the message and the messengers.

Thousands of individuals trusted Christ and were saved, but most of the nation rejected the Gospel.

And the religious leaders opposed the ministry of the church.

But what was God’s response?

As a result, the Gospel moved from Jerusalem and Judea into Samaria, and then to the Gentiles.

But the plan was for the church to be made up of Jews AND Gentiles … becoming one body in Christ.

All who are “in Christ” share in the New Covenant which was purchased on the cross.

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Before we examine the “better promises” of the New Covenant, we must settle another matter. We must not conclude that the existence of the New Covenant means that the Old Covenant was wrong or that the Law has no ministry today. Both covenants were given by God. Both covenants were given for people’s good. Both covenants had blessings attached to them. If Israel had obeyed the terms of the Old Covenant, God would have blessed them and they would have been ready for the coming of their Messiah. Paul pointed out that the Old Covenant had its share of glory (). We must not criticize the Old Covenant or minimize it.

Before we continue, I want to make sure we understand that the Old Covenant was not wrong and that it should not be left behind.

Both covenants were given by God.

Both covenants were given for people’s good.

Both covenants had blessings attached to them.

If Israel had obeyed the terms of the Old Covenant, God would have blessed them and they would have been ready for the coming of their Messiah. Paul pointed out that the Old Covenant had its share of glory (). We must not criticize the Old Covenant or minimize it.

Even though the New Covenant of grace brings with it freedom from the Law of Moses (), it does not bring freedom to disobey God and sin. God still desires that the “righteousness of the Law” should be fulfilled in us through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (). There is a lawful use of the Law ().

v7-9

Now we are ready to consider the “better promises” that belong to the New Covenant.

At Sinai, the nation of Israel said, “All the words which the Lord has said we will do.”

Do not read below:

Exodus 24:3 NKJV

So Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words which the Lord has said we will do.”

The nation of Israel at Sinai said, “All the words which the Lord hath said will we do” (). But they did not obey God’s words. It is one thing to say, “We will!” and quite another thing to do it. But the New Covenant does not depend on man’s faithfulness to God but on God’s faithful promise to man. The writer of Hebrews affirms God’s “I will” on behalf of those who trust Jesus Christ (). In fact, God’s “I will” is stated three times in that one verse and six times in .

But, of course, they did not.

The Old Covenant depended on man’s faithfulness to God.

But the New Covenant does not depend on man’s faithfulness to God but on God’s faithful promise to man.

One of the most important points of the authors quote is from Jeremiah is the phrase, “I will” … speaking of God doing it.

Why did God have to do it?

The writer of Hebrews affirms God’s “I will” on behalf of those who trust Jesus Christ ().

In fact, God’s “I will” is stated three times in that one verse and six times in .

God led Israel out of Egypt the way a father would take a child by the hand and lead him. God gave Israel His holy Law for their own good, to separate them from the other nations and to protect them from the sinful practices of the heathen. But the nation failed; “they continued not in My covenant” (). God’s responses to Israel’s disobedience were to discipline them repeatedly and finally to send them into captivity.

Well, the fault was with man who could not keep the law, rather than with God who gave the law.

The problem is not with the Law, but with our sinful nature.

By ourselves we cannot keep God’s Law, … remember back in chapter 7, it says that the Law “made nothing perfect” because it could not change any human heart.

Only God’s grace can do that.

Do not read below:

Romans 7:12 NKJV

Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.

Hebrews 7:19 NKJV

for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

The New Covenant has no place for the works of man … it is completely of God’s grace.

This means that no one can become a part of this New Covenant without faith in Jesus Christ.

Grace and faith go together very much as the Law and works go together.

Paul wrote in Romans 11:

Romans 11:6 NKJV

And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

The Law says, “The man that does them shall live by them.”

Do not read below:

Galatians 3:12 NKJV

Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”

But grace says, “The work is done—believe and live!”

v10

The Law of Moses could declare God’s holy standard, but it could never provide the power needed for obedience.

Paul wrote, “I would not have known sin except through the law.”

Do not read below:

Romans 7:7 NKJV

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”

And he also said:

Romans 10:4 NKJV

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Sinful people need a new heart and a new disposition within; and this is just what the New Covenant provides.

(For a parallel passage, see .)

The new covenant provides a new heart and new inclination.

When a sinner trusts Christ, he receives a divine nature within.

2 Peter 1:1–4 NKJV

Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

This divine nature creates a desire to love and obey God.

This new nature gives each believer both the desire for and the ability to live a godly life.

The Law was external; God’s demands were written on tablets of stone.

But the New Covenant makes it possible for God’s Word to be written on human minds and hearts ().

God’s grace brings an internal transformation that makes a surrendered believer more and more like Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

It is unfortunate that many Christians think they are saved by grace but must then fulfill their Christian life according to the Old Testament Law.

v11-12

They want the New Covenant for salvation but the Old Covenant for sanctification.

The Apostle Paul had a phrase to describe this condition: “fallen from grace” ().

Not “fallen from salvation,” but fallen from the sphere of God’s blessing through grace.

We do not become holy people by trying to obey God’s Law in our own power.

It is by yielding to the Holy Spirit within that we fulfill the righteousness of the Law (); and this is wholly of grace.

The law was not given for the purpose of forgiveness.

So then, there is no forgiveness under the law.

That might shock someone who is totally bought into the Hebrew Roots movement.

It might even shock some who go to church to hear bullet point after bullet point about how to live … often what is said is “you should be doing this” … “you must do that” … all that is law.

Paul wrote, “Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

“Therefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight; for by the Law is knowledge of sin” ().

Do not read below:

Romans 3:20 NKJV

Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

The Law could not promise forgiveness to Israel, let alone to all mankind.

It is only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that forgiveness is possible to all who will call on Him.

The Old Testament sacrifices brought a remembrance of sins.

They could not bring a remission of sins.

Verse 11 quotes from .

It refers to a day when Israel will be reunited with Juda and rejoice in the promised kingdom.

In that day, there will be no need to share the Gospel with others because everyone will know the Lord personally.

However, until that day, it is both our privilege and our responsibility to share the Gospel message with a lost world.

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Now, look with me to verse 12.

What does it really mean that God remembers our sins and iniquities no more?

It must be important, because it’s quoted again in chapter 10.

This important statement is quoted again in .

Can God, Who is all-knowing actually forget what we have done?

That can’t be, because if God forgot anything, He would cease to be God.

The thing is that the deeper meaning of the phrase “remember no more” is “I will hold it against you no more.”

God is not ignorant of what we have done, but He does not hold it against us.

He now deals with us on the basis of grace and mercy under the terms of the New Covenant … and not law and merit as based on the Old Covenant.

This is important because it means that once sin has been forgiven, it is never brought before us again.

The idea that when we all get to heaven, the first thing we have waiting for us is the worlds longest horror movie ever of everything bad we have ever said, done, or thought is wrong.

The idea of our sins being played out before us and everyone else in a grand shaming session is just plain unscriptural.

God is not going to do that.

God is not going to do that

The slate will be wiped clean and our good works will be judged to determine rewards.

The matter of sins is settled eternally, praise the Lord.

And this is the way we should approach one another as well.

As a pastor in counseling ministry I have often heard people say, “Well, I can forgive—but I cannot forget!”

“Of course you can’t forget,” I usually reply.

“The more you try to put this thing out of your mind, the more you will remember it.

But that isn’t what it means to forget.”

Then I go on to explain that “to forget” means “not to hold it against the person who has wronged us.”

We may remember what others have done, but we treat them as though they never did it.

How is this possible?

It is possible because of the cross, for there God treated His Son as though He had done it!

And we are now “in Christ” … that is, clothed in His righteousness.

In other words, what Christ supplies is greater than what the law demands.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

In other words, what Christ supplies is greater than what the law demands.

v13

The Old Covenant was still governing the nation of Israel at the time this epistle was written.

The Temple system was still functioning … the sacrifices still being made … the Levitical priesthood still functioning.

Devout Jews probably thought that their Christian friends were foolish to abandon such a “solid religion” for a faith that was seemingly intangible.

But when Jesus Christ died the great veil separating the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place was torn down from the top.

The way was made open … a new order of priests was ushered in … the old covenant was done and the new covenant was now brought to bare.

But most of Israel rejected the gospel.

And in a.d. 70 the city of Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by the Roman army under Titus.

In a.d. 70 the city of Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by the Romans, and the Jews have not had a temple or a priesthood to serve them ever since (see ).

The Jews have not had a temple or a priesthood to serve them ever since.

But all who have trusted in Christ have a priesthood to serve them … Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest.

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Jesus Christ is the Author of “eternal salvation” () and “eternal redemption” ().

The New Covenant can never get old and disappear … it is eternal under the ministry of the eternal Son of God.

The Greek word translated “new” means “new in quality,” not “new in time.”

This New Covenant is of such quality that it will never need to be replaced.

Our Lord is ministering on the basis of a better covenant.

It’s a New Covenant that makes us partakers of the new nature and the wonderful new life that only Christ can give.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 303–308). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Let’s pray:

Let’s pray: Lord, we thank you for this time we have had together worshipping You and studying Your Word. We thank you that You are faithful and Your mercy endures forever. Increase our love for one another and for all, establish us in all things. Keep our minds and our hands from evil and protect us from the deceptions of our enemy the devil. Thank You for being our Great High Priest. Lord, we thank You for that good work that You have begun in us and will bring to completion. Lead us in works that glorify You.

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