◄ What Does Hebrews 8:7 Mean? ►

Little by little and precept upon precept, we are brought in the book of Hebrews to acknowledge that Christ's heavenly, high-priestly ministry is so much more superior than the earthly, Aaronic priesthood that preceded it. And the blood of the Son of God that was shed at Calvary (once and for all) was a more excellent sacrifice than the rivers of blood that streamed from the multiple calves and bulls which had made atonement for man's sin for centuries (in anticipation of God's full and final sacrifice for sin).

The first covenant was given by God to the people of God. It was a good Law and contained many blessings for any who could keep its statutes, but it had a weakness. The Old Covenant could only instruct a sinner in righteousness, convict him of sin, point out his need for forgiveness, and label him guilty.

The fault of the Old Covenant was that it was unable to make fallen man righteous, and it could only condemn him of his sinfulness. But in His grace, God promised a New Covenant to the people of Israel: "For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second." And in His grace, God has made us ministers of the New Covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: "For the letter kills and condemns, but the Spirit gives life and hope."

God in His grace knew man's inability to keep His Old Covenant and ordained a New and better Covenant with a superior Priesthood (after the order of Melchizedek), where Christ is officiating in a heavenly tabernacle, on behalf of all who trust Him as Saviour. It contains superior promises of grace, an inner change of the heart, unlimited blessings, sins forgiven, and an eternal hope laid up in heaven for all who would trust in the Lord Jesus Christ: our Prophet, Priest, and King.

The Old Covenant became a yoke of bondage, for it demanded perfection from those who by nature were incapable of keeping its requirements, and so a second covenant was sought. Carnal man is "sold under sin," which renders God's perfect Law "weak through the flesh." But God, by grace through faith in Christ's sacrificial death on the Cross and His glorious Resurrection, has provided a New and better Covenant.

Let us never forget that there is a perfect Man in Heaven Who is interceding in the heavenly tabernacle as our great high Priest, and one day He is coming back to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. To Him be all honour and glory.

Heavenly Father, thank You that through the blood of Christ Jesus our Lord we have a New and better Covenant with new and better promises of grace and the forgiveness of sins. Thank You that He is our glorified, living sacrifice and our heavenly High Priest Who, at this moment, is interceding for all His children. Thank You that I am not under law but under grace. Help me to live my life as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to You. In Jesus' name, AMEN.