Chapter 8

Christ is the mediator of a better covenant. Hebrews 8:1-6.  
Christ's priesthood is superior to Aaron's because it is in the order of Melchizedek (6:20).  The priesthood in Israel only served as a shadow of heavenly realities (8:5).  Hebrews Chapter eight marks a new division. Chapter eight starts with the statement that the old covenant was good but the new covenant is better. Because Christ our great high priest lives forever. He is seated at the right hand of the majesty in heaven.  He ministers in the true sanctuary of heaven. Earthly Tabernacle was only a type and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary. It was made in the pattern shown to Moses by God and temporary.  But Christ ministers in the true heavenly sanctuary and His priesthood is eternal. Christ is the true and eternal High Priest. He is the mediator of the new and better covenant (Hebrews 8:6-7). It is the covenant of grace that promises blessings to the people of God.  The main function of the priest was to offer gifts and sacrifices to God for the people (Hebrews 8:3). Christ's death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice.  Sacrifices and tabernacle were the shadows of heavenly things to come.  They were destined to pass away when the reality of Christ’s sacrifice was fulfilled. So Christ is the mediator of a better covenant with better promises (Hebrews 8:6).

New covenant was established upon better promises.  Hebrews 8:7-11.
In the last chapter, the author has shown the superiority of the new covenant which Christ has established through His blood. He argues that if the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant (Hebrews 7:7). Here the author quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34. A covenant is an agreement between two parties. God in his grace made covenants with men. The covenants are the expressions of divine will designed to bring fellowship between God and men.  The Old covenant was mediated by Moses between God and Israel. It was written on stone (Exodus 24:12). It was perfect, holy, righteous and good. It became faulty because of the failure of Israel to obey. So it became invalid. The Lord sent His prophets again and again to renew His covenant with Israel. But they mocked them until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against them to the point of no remedy (2 Chronicles 36:15, 16). Thus the first covenant failed to accomplish its purpose because of the weakness of man.  Prophet Jeremiah foretold about a new and perfect covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

“I will remember their sins no more”. Heb 8:12-13.  
The new covenant is an agreement that God makes with his people. It promises not only  to forgive their sins but also change and motivate their hearts to obey God.  In due time Christ shed His blood to become the surety of a better covenant (Hebrews 7:22, Matthew 26:27, 28). This new covenant is not temporary or conditional, but eternal.  It forgives our sins and brings fellowship with God. The new covenant mediated by Christ is central to Christian faith. What are the advantages of the new covenant over the old covenant?  It was made between God and His Son for the remission of our sins (Luke 22:20).  In the old covenant God wanted people to obey His commandments.  But people did not have the power to obey (2 Corinthians 3:3-6). The new covenant is written on stone but on our hearts.  God does a spiritual transformation in our hearts and gives us the desire to do His will (Jeremiah 32:40; Ezek 36:26). In the believer, God now works both to will and to do His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). What a gracious Lord! The new covenant was sealed with the blood of Christ rather than the blood of animals (1 Corinthians 11:25). Christ shed His blood for the forgiveness of sin of the world rather than of Israel (John 1:29). It gives us the privilege to call God as our Father (Romans 8:15). Old covenant was written on stone, but new covenant is written in our hearts through the ministry of the Holy Spirit who indwells in us (8:10; Ezekiel 36:26,27). The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Christ in us by guiding us into all truth (John 16:13-15; 1 Corinthians 2:10). New covenant guarantees that God is merciful.  He remembers our sins no more (8:12).  It is not a license to continue in sin but to serve God. Christian life should not be characterized by sin but by righteousness.

   
God is always merciful (Exodus 34:6, 7).
God promised that He will forgive our sins (Isaiah 43:25; Psalms 103:12).   The blood of animals could only cover the sins of Israel (Hebrews 10:4). Christ died to take away the sin of the whole world (John 1:29; Hebrews 10:14). The new covenant is given not only for the Jews but to all those who believe. Since Christ has established the new covenant, the old covenant is obsolete and ready to be put away (Hebrews 8:13). Do you enjoy the blessings of the new covenant?

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