“The New and

Better Covenant”Hebrews 8:1-13

Better Covenant…•The Mona Lisa has been estimated to be the most expensive painting in history•Many copies have been made over the centuries, the best of which is just as old•Insurance estimated value, $780M, 2015•The copy, not so much•In Chapter 8 we learn that the Tabernacle in the wilderness was just a copy of the one in Heaven

Better Covenant…•Why did they need a copy?•They needed it according to God’s commands to sacrifice animals to cover their sin– the sacrifices had to be made in the outer court of the Tabernacle•Remember, these Jewish Christians saw sacrifice happen daily as they passed the Temple, and they were persecuted because they stopped the practice•The author is assuring them that they are following Messiah, and a better system…

“Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. 4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; 5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things,

just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “SEE,” He says, “THAT YOU MAKE all things ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN WHICH WAS SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN.” 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. 8 For finding fault with them, He says,

“BEHOLD, DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD,WHEN I WILL EFFECT A NEW COVENANTWITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH;9 NOT LIKE THE COVENANT WHICH I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERSON THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HANDTO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT;FOR THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT,AND I DID NOT CARE FOR THEM, SAYS THE LORD.10 “FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE

A. Chief High Priest and True Tabernacle…•Vs 1-2,

“Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. ”

Hebrews 8:1-2 (NASB)

A. Chief High Priest and True Tabernacle…•Vs 1-2, The Chief High Priest, Jesus should never minister on the basis of the Old Covenant-- which was made with human priests in mind and could not provide what Jesus can do completely•Like trying to play Beethoven’s 5th on a broken piano…•Let me explain better– there is no place for a priest to sit in the Tabernacle nor the Temple

A. Chief High Priest and True Tabernacle…•As we just read the work of Jesus, our Chief High Priest, is finished and He is seated in heaven!!•New High Priest that represents us before the Throne, necessarily a New Covenant that is superior to the old one•Old priests inferior– died•New Priest– Jesus! Lives forever!

B. Better Sacrifice and Temple…•Vs 3-5,

“3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. 4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; 5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “SEE,” He says, “THAT YOU MAKE all things ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN WHICH WAS SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN.”

Hebrews 8:3-5, NASB

B. Better Sacrifice and Temple…•Vs 3-5, Every Jewish high priest offered both gifts and sacrifices to the Lord on behalf of himself and the people whom he represented•Sacrifice for sin is essential to the concept of earthly priesthood, but they could only be offered in the place God designated •Since Jesus is now in Heaven, His sanctuary must by needs be there

C. The Better Covenant…•Vs 6-9,

“6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. 8 For finding fault with them, He says,‘BEHOLD, DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD,WHEN I WILL EFFECT A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH;

9 NOT LIKE THE COVENANT WHICH I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERSON THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HANDTO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT;FOR THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT,AND I DID NOT CARE FOR THEM, SAYS THE LORD.’”

Hebrews 8:6-9, NASB

C. The Better Covenant…•Vs 6-9, the Scripture is not saying that the OT Covenant was sinful and has short comings•It was of God, therefore righteous and perfect. But it was insufficient in producing righteousness in believers’ lives•This new covenant is better because it does produce righteousness!•This new grace doesn’t ignore sin or dilute righteousness, rather it lavishly displays LOVE!

D. Such Mercy and Grace of God…•Vs 10-13

10 “FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAELAFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS,AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS.AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD,AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.“AND THEY SHALL NOT TEACH EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN,AND EVERYONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, ‘KNOW THE LORD,’FOR ALL WILL KNOW ME,

FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM.12 “FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES,AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE.”13 When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.”

Hebrews 8:10-13 (NASB)

D. Such Mercy and Grace of God…•Vs 10-13, don’t get confused and think this is only for Jews because He’s quoting Jeremiah 31– it started with them, but it doesn’t end there, Hallelujah!• Mosaic law was external, the new covenant is written on the heart by the Spirit, internal•That’s why there is an internal transformation in the born-again believer

D. Such Mercy and Grace of God…•Here’s the deal– animal sacrifice did not forgive sin– only put off the inevitable until the atonement could come•Hebrews 10:3-4

“3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

Hebrews 10:3-4 (NASB)

D. Such Mercy and Grace of God…•Here’s the deal– animal sacrifice did not forgive sin– only put off the inevitable until the atonement could come•Hebrews 10:3-4•The following are some quick references that differentiate the Old and New Covenants..

1. They were instituted in different times and locations.• The Old Covenant around 1446 B.C. at Mount Sinai• The New Covenant around A.D. 33 at Mount Zion

7 Quick Ref Differences between Old and New…

2. They were spoken in different ways•The Old Covenant was thundered with fear and dread at Mount Sinai. – Exodus19:17-24•Jesus Christ, God the Son, declared the New Covenant with love and grace

3. They have different mediators•Moses mediated the Old Covenant •Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant

7 Quick Ref Differences between Old and New…4. They are different in their subject matter.•The Old Covenant demanded a covenant of works•The New Covenant fulfills the covenant of works through the completed work of Jesus

5. They are different in how they were dedicated•The Old Covenant was dedicated with the blood of animals sprinkled on the people. – Exodus 24:5-8•The New Covenant was dedicated with Jesus’ blood – signifying His sacrificial death – spiritually applied to His people

7 Quick Ref Differences between Old and New…6. They are different in how they were dedicated•The Old Covenant was dedicated with the blood of animals sprinkled on the people. – Exodus 24:5-8•The New Covenant was dedicated with Jesus’ blood – signifying His sacrificial death – spiritually applied to His people

7. They are different in their sacrifices•The Old Covenant demanded an endless repetition of imperfect sacrifices•The New Covenant provides a once and for all, perfect sacrifice of the Son of God Himself

Take Home… •The OT Law functions as a mirror to reveal our sin and condemn it. The Law cannot cleanse, but Jesus’ blood can wash away our sins and us His perfect righteousness. That’s the amazing grace of God•Our confessed sin is no longer remembered by God. Don’t remind Him, and don’t hover over it wallow in guilt, and don’t repeat it!