A heavenly priest is better than an earthly one (8:1–5)
Chapter eight is a sort of bridge between the writer of Hebrews' discussion of our perfect high priest, Jesus Christ (Heb 5–7) and his discussion of the new covenant (Heb 9). Verse one begins with a clarification about the main point of the previous discussion: Jesus is a better high priest than any descendent of Aaron. He is a better priest because he ministers in heaven, in the very presence of God, rather than in an earthly temple (vv. 1–2). Jesus Christ must minister as a high priest in heaven, because the Law precluded him from being a high priest in the earthly temple (vv. 3–4). However, the earthly temple, the Mosaic system, is inferior to the heavenly ministry of Jesus Christ, because the temple is just a picture of the reality of God’s presence (v. 5).
A new covenant is better than an old one (8:6–13)
Jesus Christ is better then, because he is a priest that ministers directly in the presence of God, and because he is the Mediator of a better covenant (v. 6). Again, the contrast is between the old covenant (mediated by Moses at Mt. Sinai and represented by the tabernacle and Aaronic priesthood) and the new covenant, mediated by Jesus Christ.
The very fact that there is a "new" covenant means that the first was flawed. If something is perfect, you don't need to replace it (v. 7). What was the "fatal flaw" in the old covenant (the Mosaic Law)? Actually, the problem wasn't with the covenant, it was with the people. They did not and could not keep God’s laws. They did not obey God (v. 9).
The writer of Hebrews quotes God's promise of future restoration from Jeremiah 31:31–34 (vv. 8–12). This new covenant would be with both Israel and Judah (v. 8), indicating a restored nation of Israel. Unlike the old covenant, which could not cause those under it to obey, the new covenant guarantees a new heart (v. 10), obedience to God (v. 11), and God's forgiveness and mercy (v. 12).
The Jewish readers should not be afraid then to turn away from Judaism and continue in faith in Jesus Christ. The Mosaic Law was an "old" covenant, even back in Jeremiah's day! God had promised something better and something that would last, and Jesus Christ is the mediator of that covenant.
Chapter eight is a sort of bridge between the writer of Hebrews' discussion of our perfect high priest, Jesus Christ (Heb 5–7) and his discussion of the new covenant (Heb 9). Verse one begins with a clarification about the main point of the previous discussion: Jesus is a better high priest than any descendent of Aaron. He is a better priest because he ministers in heaven, in the very presence of God, rather than in an earthly temple (vv. 1–2). Jesus Christ must minister as a high priest in heaven, because the Law precluded him from being a high priest in the earthly temple (vv. 3–4). However, the earthly temple, the Mosaic system, is inferior to the heavenly ministry of Jesus Christ, because the temple is just a picture of the reality of God’s presence (v. 5).
A new covenant is better than an old one (8:6–13)
Jesus Christ is better then, because he is a priest that ministers directly in the presence of God, and because he is the Mediator of a better covenant (v. 6). Again, the contrast is between the old covenant (mediated by Moses at Mt. Sinai and represented by the tabernacle and Aaronic priesthood) and the new covenant, mediated by Jesus Christ.
The very fact that there is a "new" covenant means that the first was flawed. If something is perfect, you don't need to replace it (v. 7). What was the "fatal flaw" in the old covenant (the Mosaic Law)? Actually, the problem wasn't with the covenant, it was with the people. They did not and could not keep God’s laws. They did not obey God (v. 9).
The writer of Hebrews quotes God's promise of future restoration from Jeremiah 31:31–34 (vv. 8–12). This new covenant would be with both Israel and Judah (v. 8), indicating a restored nation of Israel. Unlike the old covenant, which could not cause those under it to obey, the new covenant guarantees a new heart (v. 10), obedience to God (v. 11), and God's forgiveness and mercy (v. 12).
The Jewish readers should not be afraid then to turn away from Judaism and continue in faith in Jesus Christ. The Mosaic Law was an "old" covenant, even back in Jeremiah's day! God had promised something better and something that would last, and Jesus Christ is the mediator of that covenant.
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