God’s Word of Faith
Introduction
Hebrews 8:1-13: God gave Moses the plans for building the first Sacred Tent (Exodus 25:1—27:21). Israel’s priests offered sacrifices at this tent and later at the Temple. Jesus has now been given priestly work and has arranged a better covenant between God and his people.
Scripture Reading
Jesus Our High Priest
1 The whole point of what we are saying is that we have such a High Priest, who sits at the right of the throne of the Divine Majesty in heaven. 2He serves as high priest in the Most Holy Place, that is, in the real tent which was put up by the Lord, not by human hands.
3Every high priest is appointed to present offerings and animal sacrifices to God, and so our High Priest must also have something to offer. 4If he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer the gifts required by the Jewish Law. 5 The work they do as priests is really only a copy and a shadow of what is in heaven. It is the same as it was with Moses. When he was about to build the Sacred Tent, God told him, “Be sure to make everything according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain.” 6But now, Jesus has been given priestly work which is superior to theirs, just as the covenant which he arranged between God and his people is a better one, because it is based on promises of better things.
7If there had been nothing wrong with the first covenant, there would have been no need for a second one. 8 But God finds fault with his people when he says,
“The days are coming, says the Lord,
when I will draw up a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.
9It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors
on the day I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt.
They were not faithful to the covenant I made with them,
and so I paid no attention to them.
10Now, this is the covenant that I will make with the people of Israel
in the days to come, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their minds
and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
11None of them will have to teach their friends
or tell their neighbors,
‘Know the Lord.’
For they will all know me,
from the least to the greatest.
12I will forgive their sins
and will no longer remember their wrongs.”
13By speaking of a new covenant, God has made the first one old; and anything that becomes old and worn out will soon disappear.
Today’s Key Verse: Hebrews 8:1b
We have such a High Priest, who sits at the right of the throne of the Divine Majesty in heaven.
Reflect
Verses 8-12 are quoted from Jeremiah 31:31-34. How is this new covenant described? According to verse 6, the covenant Jesus has arranged is based on promises of better things. What is your understanding of these promises and what do they mean to you?
Pray
Everlasting God, through Christ our Lord you welcome everyone into your holy and sacred presence. Help me to extend your welcome to others by sharing the Good News of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Hebrews 9:1-22: As High Priest, Christ serves in a tent that is greater and more perfect.