Jesus: The Better Covenant
Understanding the True Tabernacle: Lessons from Hebrews 8
In Hebrews 8, we find a powerful summary of everything discussed in the previous seven chapters. The author begins by saying, "Now of the things which we have spoken, this is the sum," indicating that he's about to explain the core message of his letter.
Who is our High Priest and where does He minister?
Our High Priest, Jesus Christ, is described as one "who is set on the right hand of the throne of majesty in the heavens." Unlike earthly priests who served in a physical tabernacle, Jesus ministers in "the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched and not man."
This distinction is crucial. The earthly tabernacle of the Old Testament was merely a shadow, a representation of the true tabernacle in heaven. In that heavenly sanctuary, angels continually cry, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty," worshiping in the very presence of God.
What does it mean that we are God's tabernacle?
As New Testament believers, we ourselves have become God's tabernacle. The indwelling of God's Spirit means that Emmanuel (God with us) dwells within us. This should be a profound and weighty thought - that we have become the sanctuary, the dwelling place of the Most High God. But this raises an important question: Are we being true tabernacles? Are we faithful to the One who gave Himself for us? Just as a spouse desires faithfulness from their partner, God desires true faithfulness from us as His dwelling place.
Why is Jesus' ministry superior to the Old Testament priesthood?
Every high priest in the Old Testament was "ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices." But these priests were sinful themselves and had to offer sacrifices for their own sins before they could offer for others. Jesus, however, has "obtained a more excellent ministry" and is "the mediator of a better covenant which was established upon better promises." Unlike the Old Testament priests:
1. Jesus never sinned
2. He kept the law perfectly
3. He died for the sins of the people
4. He rose again, conquering death
How did the Old Covenant work?
Under the Old Covenant, people had to bring sacrifices repeatedly:
• They needed a firstborn lamb without spot or blemish
• The priest would inspect the lamb (not the person)
• Blood would be shed and offered on the altar
For certain sins, like children disobeying parents or spouses being unfaithful, the punishment was death by stoning. The law was harsh and unforgiving - the covenant was essentially "keep the law or die."
What makes the New Covenant better?
The first covenant wasn't faultless - not because God's law was imperfect, but because we couldn't keep it. That's why a second covenant was necessary.
Under the New Covenant:
1. Jesus says, "I'll keep the law and I'll die for you"
2. God puts His laws in our minds and writes them on our hearts
3. We receive the power to overcome sin
4. We have a personal relationship with God - "I will be their God, and they shall be My people"
The author quotes from Jeremiah 31, showing that God had planned this New Covenant long ago. This wasn't an afterthought but God's eternal plan.
How do we know if we're truly under the New Covenant?
A sobering thought emerges: if you don't have a desire to pursue Jesus, you should examine your salvation. When the Spirit of God truly dwells inside you, you know that you're saved, and you have a genuine desire to pursue a relationship with Christ.
Just as the Israelites who still had Egypt in their hearts died in the wilderness and never reached the Promised Land, those who claim salvation but have no desire to follow Christ may not have truly experienced the New Covenant.
When you truly see Jesus for who He is - the holy, righteous God who became flesh, lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and defeated death - you will naturally pursue Him. Like someone falling in love who wants to know everything about the person they're attracted to, those who have truly encountered Christ will want to know Him more deeply.
Life Application
The message of Hebrews 8 challenges us to examine our lives as God's tabernacle. Are we being faithful to the One who gave Himself for us? Are we living as true tabernacles of the Most High God?
This week, consider these questions:
1. Am I pursuing Christ with the same passion I pursue other relationships or interests?
2. Do I recognize the power I've been given to overcome sin, or am I making excuses?
3. Is God's law written on my heart, or am I trying to follow rules out of obligation?
4. What areas of my life need to be consecrated and sanctified as part of God's holy dwelling place?
The challenge is clear: Don't just claim salvation while living however you want. Instead, recognize the incredible privilege of being God's tabernacle and live in a way that honors His presence within you. Pursue Christ with your whole heart, knowing that under the New Covenant, you have been given everything you need to live a life that pleases Him.
In Hebrews 8, we find a powerful summary of everything discussed in the previous seven chapters. The author begins by saying, "Now of the things which we have spoken, this is the sum," indicating that he's about to explain the core message of his letter.
Who is our High Priest and where does He minister?
Our High Priest, Jesus Christ, is described as one "who is set on the right hand of the throne of majesty in the heavens." Unlike earthly priests who served in a physical tabernacle, Jesus ministers in "the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched and not man."
This distinction is crucial. The earthly tabernacle of the Old Testament was merely a shadow, a representation of the true tabernacle in heaven. In that heavenly sanctuary, angels continually cry, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty," worshiping in the very presence of God.
What does it mean that we are God's tabernacle?
As New Testament believers, we ourselves have become God's tabernacle. The indwelling of God's Spirit means that Emmanuel (God with us) dwells within us. This should be a profound and weighty thought - that we have become the sanctuary, the dwelling place of the Most High God. But this raises an important question: Are we being true tabernacles? Are we faithful to the One who gave Himself for us? Just as a spouse desires faithfulness from their partner, God desires true faithfulness from us as His dwelling place.
Why is Jesus' ministry superior to the Old Testament priesthood?
Every high priest in the Old Testament was "ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices." But these priests were sinful themselves and had to offer sacrifices for their own sins before they could offer for others. Jesus, however, has "obtained a more excellent ministry" and is "the mediator of a better covenant which was established upon better promises." Unlike the Old Testament priests:
1. Jesus never sinned
2. He kept the law perfectly
3. He died for the sins of the people
4. He rose again, conquering death
How did the Old Covenant work?
Under the Old Covenant, people had to bring sacrifices repeatedly:
• They needed a firstborn lamb without spot or blemish
• The priest would inspect the lamb (not the person)
• Blood would be shed and offered on the altar
For certain sins, like children disobeying parents or spouses being unfaithful, the punishment was death by stoning. The law was harsh and unforgiving - the covenant was essentially "keep the law or die."
What makes the New Covenant better?
The first covenant wasn't faultless - not because God's law was imperfect, but because we couldn't keep it. That's why a second covenant was necessary.
Under the New Covenant:
1. Jesus says, "I'll keep the law and I'll die for you"
2. God puts His laws in our minds and writes them on our hearts
3. We receive the power to overcome sin
4. We have a personal relationship with God - "I will be their God, and they shall be My people"
The author quotes from Jeremiah 31, showing that God had planned this New Covenant long ago. This wasn't an afterthought but God's eternal plan.
How do we know if we're truly under the New Covenant?
A sobering thought emerges: if you don't have a desire to pursue Jesus, you should examine your salvation. When the Spirit of God truly dwells inside you, you know that you're saved, and you have a genuine desire to pursue a relationship with Christ.
Just as the Israelites who still had Egypt in their hearts died in the wilderness and never reached the Promised Land, those who claim salvation but have no desire to follow Christ may not have truly experienced the New Covenant.
When you truly see Jesus for who He is - the holy, righteous God who became flesh, lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and defeated death - you will naturally pursue Him. Like someone falling in love who wants to know everything about the person they're attracted to, those who have truly encountered Christ will want to know Him more deeply.
Life Application
The message of Hebrews 8 challenges us to examine our lives as God's tabernacle. Are we being faithful to the One who gave Himself for us? Are we living as true tabernacles of the Most High God?
This week, consider these questions:
1. Am I pursuing Christ with the same passion I pursue other relationships or interests?
2. Do I recognize the power I've been given to overcome sin, or am I making excuses?
3. Is God's law written on my heart, or am I trying to follow rules out of obligation?
4. What areas of my life need to be consecrated and sanctified as part of God's holy dwelling place?
The challenge is clear: Don't just claim salvation while living however you want. Instead, recognize the incredible privilege of being God's tabernacle and live in a way that honors His presence within you. Pursue Christ with your whole heart, knowing that under the New Covenant, you have been given everything you need to live a life that pleases Him.
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