So, what is the point of what we have read in the previous chapters? We have been seeing that for one to be a priest at that time, one must meet certain requirements, have something to offer and must do it in a sanctuary. Another fact is that priests had to come from the tribe of Judah. Christ, who is our high priest did not meet those earthly qualifications, however, He is a priest of a higher form. He was not a descendant from the tribe of Judah so He does not qualify as an earthly priest. What did He have to offer and from what sanctuary does He minister or give service? He offered Himself and ministers from the sanctuary of heaven. He is a high priest above all priests. His ministry is of an excellent nature beyond any ministry of earth. This high priest, Jesus, is not seated in a place of honor in an earthly temple. He is seated at the right hand of God in the place built, not by man, but by the very hands of God. Jesus mediates for us directly with God.
When God brought Israel out of Egypt, He made the first covenant with them. This was the Mosaic Law, the Law given to the people via Moses. (Romans 7:7-13) The Law was good as it showed people their sin. If there was no Law, people would not have known they were sinning. In the law, there are such things as "thou shalt not covet" which tells us not to covet. These Laws are good as they guide us in right living and tell us when we are sinning. But sin used the Law to arouse sinful desires in us, such as covetousness. The Law was to be our guide bringing life but because sin used the Law as a way to lead us into sin, the Law did not do what it was intended to do. The Law is right and holy and good but sin twisted its intent to give us sinful ideas. This is a great example of how horrible sin actually is and why it is so dangerous, for it took God's good commands and used them for evil purposes. God found no fault with the Law but with people in how sin affected them through the law. A new covenant had to be made.
To establish the timing of some things, let me say, Hebrews was most likely written no later than 70 A.D.. This new covenant we see being addressed in chapter 8: 7-13, is nothing like the old covenant of the Law of Moses. In fact, this new covenant is foretold in Jeremiah 31:31-34. Please note that Jeremiah was called by God in 627 B.C., at the age of 20 and served God for 40 years proclaiming His judgement on Judah. He was beaten and imprisoned and endured much during his ministry. In chapter 31:31-34 we see, "The day is coming", says the Lord. "when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife," says the Lord. "But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day," says the Lord. "I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their relatives, saying, 'You should know the Lord.' For everyone from the least to the greatest, will know me already," says the Lord. And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins."
This new covenant is the covenant with Christ. This new covenant is built upon better promises and this new covenant is built on the blood of Christ which pays for all sins. Because of Christ and His great sacrifice, (verse 13) the old covenant, while still existing, is obsolete. Matthew 5:17 NIV; (Jesus speaking) Do not think I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Isn't this good news?
In Romans 7:4 NLT; we see, "So, my dear brothers and sisters, this is the point. You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ. And now you are united with the One who was raised from the dead. As a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God."
Also in Romans 8:1-4 NLT; "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The Law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent His own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit."
The law was given and by the dictate of the law, death was the price for sinning. There is no way around what the law demanded. Someone had to die and that someone was supposed to be those who sinned. In this new covenant, Christ lived a perfect life in a human body and His death on the cross paid the penalty for all our sins. The penalty of the old covenant was not ignored or set aside, it was fulfilled by Christ sacrificing Himself on our behalf. Yes, Good news indeed!
Hebrews 9 begins by comparing the old covenant and it's regulations for worship in the earthly sanctuary to the superior features of the New Covenant and the ministry it expresses.
In the old covenant you see listed all the things that had to be in place, what was allowed in what area and when and who was allowed in what area of the temple.
Let's look at verse 7 NLT; But only the high priest ever entered the Most Holy Place; and only once a year. And he always offered blood for his sins and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance." Verse 8 tell us that access to the Most Holy Place was not open while the Tabernacle and old system (covenant) were still in use, meaning, while the old covenant was still being used or practiced.
Even though sacrifice was offered it only covered the "sins committed in ignorance" for the priest and the people. The gifts and sacrifices given to God by the priest covered the sins done in ignorance but those sacrifices did not, nor could not, cleanse the consciences of the people. The old system dealt "only" with the physical regulations of what to eat and drink and the ceremonies that were practiced.
The sacrifices of the priest under the old covenant were greatly limited and could only give freedom from a very small list of things. The new covenant under Christ frees us from "all" sin. Jesus, Himself entered and opened the Most Holy Place, that Holy Place in heaven for all time and redeeming us for all time. Be alert to the fact that the old way could not cleanse our conscience but in verse 14 we read NLT; "Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify your consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered Himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins." He did that so that we can receive the eternal inheritance God promises and set us free from the penalty of our sins. In this we can see how superior the perfect sacrifice of Christ and the shedding of His blood is to that of animals.
The earthly sanctuary had to be cleansed with the blood of animals but they were merely copies of the heavenly sancturary. The heavenly sanctuary would need to be cleansed too but the blood of animals could not do the job. Christs' spilled blood cleansed the heavenly place for He did not enter the earthly Holy of Holies but the heavenly Holy of Holies and into the presence of God Himself.
Another contrast is that the earthly high priest had to do this once a year, every year but Christ sacrificed Himself one time for all time and has entered the heavenly Holy of Holies forever where He mediates on our behalf. His one sacrifice covered it all forever, to be done only once. If that were not true, Christ would have to be sacrificed over and over like was done with animals on earth. Now understanding this truth we don't have to live in fear that of His coming to judge but to look forward with eager anticipation to His coming with the gift of salvation.