A Better Covenant

Monday, September 8, 2014
Hebrews 8:1-7, 13  

1 Now of the things which we have spoken [this is] the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 
2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 
3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore [it is] of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. 
4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 
5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. 
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 
7 For if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 
... 13 In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) Where does our Lord minister? (v.1-2)
2) Why is Jesus authorized to act as our high priest? (v.3) 
3) Why is Jesus' ministry different from that of the earthly priests who ministered on behalf of the people of Israel? (v.4-6)
4) Why was the second covenant necessary? (v.7, 13)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
5) Can people ever make a lasting covenant with, or an offering to, God on behalf of your sins? Why, or why not?
6) What does Jesus' sacrifice for your sins mean to you, personally?
7) What would become of you had your sins been atoned for according to the law?

PRINCIPLES
8) Because Jesus offered Himself, an atonement for our sins, we have eternal peace with God.
9) The old sacrificial system was merely a shadow of the better.
10) Because of Jesus, we need never rely upon another human being to absolve us of our sins.