Introduction To Chapter 8 (8:1-6) Series

3/23/20

Tom Lowe

Section I.E.1. Christ’s Ministry is Superior to the Old Covenant Ministry (8:1–10:18)

Title: Introduction to Chapter 8 (8:1-6)

Scripture: Hebrews 8:1-6(NIV)

1. Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,

2. and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.

3. Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer.

4. If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law.

5. They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

6. But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.

Background

The high watermark of this magnificent epistle is found in chapter 8-actually it began in the previous chapter at verse 25: “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” This verse is the key to the section. You see, the emphasis is upon the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ is living. He is not dead -He is not on a cross; He is not lying in a grave. He arose from the dead, and the emphasis is upon our living Christ. Then verse 26: “Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, [in His relation to God], blameless [He never does anything to harm -He is never moved by anger], pure [free from any moral impurity], set apart from sinners [in His life and character, although He is right down here among us and wants us to come to Him, exalted above the heavens [He is in the presence of God].” The value of His sacrifice is stated in verse 27: “Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.” His sacrifice was not of silver or gold or bulls or goats; He offered up Himself! There is nothing more valuable than Him. Verse 28: “For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.” You do not place your confidence in a mere man when you place your confidence in the God-man. Because He is a man, He can sympathize with you and is able to meet your need. He is a royal priest. He is a righteous priest. He is a personal priest. He is a peace-promoting priest. He is a personal priest -He is for you personally. He didn’t inherit the office; that is, He didn’t come in the line of Aaron. He is an eternal priest.

Now here in chapter 8, we are told He ministers in a superior sanctuary by a much better covenant, which is built upon better promises. Chapter 8 falls quite naturally into two parts. The first part is composed of verses 1-6 and compares the old order of priesthood and the old earthly tabernacle with the new priesthood of Christ in the heavenly tabernacle. The second part of the chapter composed of verses 7-13 is concerned with comparing the new covenant with the old covenant and thus proves the inferiority of the old to the new.

Commentary

1. Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,

Let me give you a literal translation of this verse: “In consideration of the things which are spoken, this is the focal (chief) point. We have such a high priest, who set down in the heavens on the right hand of the Majesty.” This enthronement of our Lord Jesus was the fulfillment of the Father’s promise to the Son: “Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool” (Psalm 110:1).

“Who sat down at the right hand of the throne.” Christ did something which no priest in the Old Testament ever did. There is not a priest in the line of Aaron who ever had a chair in the tabernacle where he sat down. He was on the run all the time. Why? Because he had work to do. All these things are shadows that point to a finished sacrifice. Now that Christ has died, all has been fulfilled, and we do not need to wonder if we are doing enough to merit salvation. All we need to do is turn to Jesus Christ and trust Him as our Savior. He sat down because he had finished our redemption. He only asks that we accept it.