HRC New Testament Reading Plan: daily NT reading devotional thoughts.
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.
Hebrews 8:1-2 NIV
Do you put your faith in the spiritual things you can’t see or the earthly things you can see?
In Hebrews 8 the author summarizes the main point of all he’s been saying: we have a high priest that he described who serves in the true spiritual tabernacle and not the earthly shadow version.
He describes the duties of the high priests from the old covenant: offering gifts and sacrifices in a tabernacle Moses built according to the pattern given to him by God on the mountain. However, the ministry that Jesus received is superior since he serves in the true tabernacle of heaven.
He quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34 where the Lord speaks of a new covenant, not like the one made in the past, but one where he puts the law into the hearts and minds of his people. The new covenant focuses on the spiritual realities and not the earthly shadow with a copy of the tabernacle. The new covenant makes the old one obsolete, with a new high priest who is superior. This is the main reason the author gives for his encouragement to his readers: don’t turn back, even in facing difficulties and persecutions.
When we look at the difficulties and challenges around us, we also can get discouraged and be tempted to go back to what we can see. We look to earthly things to give us security like our jobs, families, finances and our own understanding. Instead, we need to look to the spiritual realities that we can’t see, like our Great High Priest, his sacrifice for us and our future home with him in heaven.
Questions:
- The author restates his “main point” in verse 1, that we do have such a high priest as he’s been telling us in previous chapters. In what ways is Jesus’ priesthood greater than that of the high priests of the old covenant? How is the new covenant greater than the old one?
- The author quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34. Take some time to read that passage in context. What does it say about the new covenant that God will make with his people? How does the new covenant make the old one obsolete (Heb 8:13)?
- How is your life different after entering the new covenant through a new relationship with Jesus in repentance and baptism?
- In what ways are you tempted to turn back to the earthly things you can see from your old life? What are some spiritual things that you can’t see that you’ll hold onto in your relationship with Jesus?