Hebrews 8 and 9 (1)

Introduction
The priests of ancient Israel mediated God’s favor to His people through the work they did in the tabernacle and, later, the temple. The people of Israel could not enjoy the favor of God apart from the work of the priests, because by their work God forgave sins and renewed repentant sinners in His covenant. One of the lessons of the book of Leviticus – with its many detailed and bloody sacrifices – is that it’s easy to drift from the Lord into disobedience and sin. But there’s a cost to endure and a price to be paid in returning to His favor and rest. Those many, continuous, bloody sacrifices and offerings were efficacious to meditate God’s covenant and favor to His people, but only temporarily. In Jesus our High Priest, we have a “more excellent ministry” at work on our behalf.

Meditate on Psalm 22.

Read Hebrews 8.1-6.

Think it through.
1.  What does a mediator do? How did the priests of Israel perform this work of mediation? How effective was their work? How does Jesus’ work as our High Priest differ from the work of the priests of Israel? The earthly tabernacle (and, later, temple) was God’s chosen place for this work of mediation to occur. Where did, and where does Jesus fulfill His work as our High Priest? What does He mediate to us there? What makes His “a more excellent ministry” than that of the priests?

2.  In what ways was the tabernacle/temple a “copy and shadow of the heavenly things”? What can we learn about “heavenly things” by understanding the details of the tabernacle/temple and the work that was conducted there? The writer of Hebrews picked up on God’s admonition to Moses in constructing the earthly tabernacle, that everything should be done according to the pattern God revealed. Why was this important? Shouldn’t the people of Israel have had some say in what they might liked to have as a place and forms for worshiping God? Explain. What are the “better promises” Jesus mediates to us? Is there a pattern we should follow for laying hold on those promises? Explain. 

Meditate.
“Both in the verse before us, then, and throughout, does he ascribe the word better to the Lord, who is better and other than originated things. For better is the sacrifice through him, better the hope in him and also the promises through him, not merely as great compared with small, but the one differing from the other in nature, because he who conducts this economy, is better than things originated.” Athanasius (295-373 AD)

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time… 1 Timothy 2.5, 6

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that in You I have, and through You I can enter, the eternal favor and rest of God! How I rejoice in this gift of Your more excellent ministry, and how this makes me want to…

Pray Psalm 22.1-8.
Here, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, David looks ahead to the sufferings of Jesus. Pray slowly and contemplatively, as you seek to appreciate the depth of Jesus’ suffering. Thank God and praise Him for this most excellent ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 22.1-8 (St. Christopher: Beneath the Cross of Jesus)
Upon the cross of Cal’vry He suffered ‘neath the rod; 
Alone, He cried out, “Why have You forsaken Me, My God?”
As day to bitter darkness turned, the Savior of the blessed
Cried, “Father, answer Me, I pray; restore Me to Your rest!”

Despised by men, the Savior was more a worm than man. 
They shrieked, “He trusted God, let Him redeem Him if He can. 
Let God deliver Him if He indeed delights in Him!”
Thus mocked they Jesus as He died in pain and anguish grim.

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.