October 25, 2010, Hebrews 8

Key Verse:

We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.

(Hebrews 8:1)


Central Truth:

The Difference between the Old and New Covenant.


What a tough subject. There is so much material to cover with this topic, therefore, I am only going to scratch the surface. Here it is in a nutshell.


Covenant
1 : a usually formal, solemn, and binding agreement


The Old Covenant was an agreement between God and the Children of Israel in the Hebrew Bible. It was basically a slew of laws and orders that people had to follow in order to be "right" with God. It also consisted of continual animal sacrifices in order for blood to be shed on behalf of their sins. But there were issues with the Old Covenant. As Paul states in Hebrews 7: 18.
¹⁸The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless ¹⁹(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. 


For God new that it was virtually impossible for humans, who are born into this world as sinful creatures, to follow all of the rules of the Torah. Obeying the law, or attempting to, didn't make anyone perfect.


Then Jesus comes along. He is referred to as the High Priest who performs the ultimate and final sacrifice on himself as an atonement for EVERYONES sins. Of course, the sacrifice was himself. Jesus took upon the sins of the world and through His sacrifice, he makes us righteous with God (aka perfect). Hebrews 8:12
¹²For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."


Therefore, there is no need for any other sacrifice. God's blood was shed and the new covenant


was formed. Our salvation is not based on how well we don't screw up. However, our salvation is


based upon our faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ. And through Christ alone, we are made Holy in 


the eyes of our God. Thank you Jesus for what you have done.