THE PRIESTHOOD
BEING
CHANGED
-- Hebrews Eight
Hebrews chapter eight is a continuation of the discussion
of the priesthood of Christ. He is a priest, by an oath, after the order of
Melchizedek. Christ's priesthood is not a part of the Levitical order. The
priesthood of Christ was authentic and perpetual, while the priesthood of the Jews
was typical of that which was to come. The Levitical priesthood was temporary
in its nature.
The priesthood of Christ made necessary a change in the
law. His priesthood demanded a change in the way priests were appointed. It
also involved a change in respect to the permanency of the priest, and the
moral influence of the priesthood. The priesthood of Christ far surpassed the
Jewish priesthood in all aspects.
This chapter begins a look at the nature of the New
Covenant brought about by the priesthood of Christ. This portion of Scripture
shows the excellency of that new dispensation or new covenant of which Christ
is the Mediator. He had obtained a more exalted ministry than the Jewish
priests. His New Covenant is better be-cause under it sins are forgiven.
Christ's priesthood is permanent-- Hebrews 8:1-3: The
pre-eminence of our High Priest is seen in the fact that He, "is set on
the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens." (Hebrews 8:1)
The Christian system will never be destitute of a High Priest, because Christ
is our High Priest forever. In the height of His glory He humbled Himself to
discharge the office of High Priest in the behalf of His church.
The work of Christ was not in the Jewish tabernacle. He is,
"a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord
pitched, and not man." (Hebrews 8:2) The old tabernacle was pitched by man
according to the commandments given by God. Jesus dwells in the sanctuary of
heaven for us continually. He is our Mediator and Advocate, representing our
case before the Father, by the power His blood whereby atonement was made for
our sins.
A priest that has nothing to offer is no priest at all.
Under the old covenant when the people brought sacrifices, or peace-offerings,
or thank-offerings, these were offered by their priest. This is the only way
their gifts were acceptable to God. Jesus also had something to offer, Himself!
In Hebrews nine the writer discussed this thought in more detail saying,
"Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth
into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often
have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the
world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."
(Hebrews 9:25-26) There was no sacrifice sufficient for man's atonement except
Christ’s death.
Christ's priesthood is from heaven -- Hebrews 8:4-5: Christ
must now conduct His priesthood in heaven. "For if he were on earth, he
should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts
according to the law." (Hebrews 8:4) So long as the Levitical priesthood
continued Christ could never be priest. With those priests, there was already a
system of sacrifice. His sacrifice and service demanded a different kind of
priesthood.
The things of the old covenant were a shadow of what was to
come in Christ. He is the substance and end of that old law. Under the old
system Moses did nothing of his own will. When he built the tabernacle he followed
God's directions in every thing. "Moses was ad-monished 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." (Hebrews 8:5)
"According to the pattern" were powerful words
from God to Moses. Many today look at these words as insulting words. We would
do well to remember that there is a form of doctrine that must be followed.
"But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from
the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you." (Romans 6:17) We
do well to recognize the need for a "Thus saith the Lord" in all
religious matters. There is a pattern from God!
Christ's priesthood and the New Covenant -- Hebrews 8:6-8: The
writer here offers more proof that Christ's priesthood is better. His
priesthood is better because the new covenant is better. The New Covenant is a
better covenant, because it is established upon better promises. The promises
of the New Covenant are better because most of them relate to spiritual things
and to eternal salvation. Christ, the Son of God, is Mediator of this New
Covenant.
A covenant is an arrangement, or an ordering of things. God
has an arrangement whereby man can be saved, honor Him in life and worship in a
pleasing manner. This new covenant relates to man's heart. It has to do with
the forgiveness of sins.
The Old Covenant had the fault of not containing provisions
for the salvation of the soul. If the first covenant had provided a means of
salvation there would never have been a need for another. The Hebrew writer
quoted a promise from Jeremiah as proof of the need of this new covenant.
(Jeremiah 31)
Christ's priesthood and covenant excelled the old -- Hebrews 8:9-13:
This new arrangement is different from that which was made with
The New Covenant was not made with
This great and fundamental promise of the New Covenant is
the pardon of sin, "their sins and their iniquities will I remember no
more." (Hebrews 8:12) This is possible only by God's mercy. God does not
forget that men are sinners, but by the blood of Jesus He treats them as if
they had never sinned.
There is now a New and Better covenant. At the destruction
of
Your appreciation of this New Covenant should lead you to
baptism into Christ. Baptism brings one into the death of Christ and into
contact with His saving blood. (Romans 6:3-4) How wonderful it is that now,
through Jesus there is forgiveness of sins! Make your salvation sure. Obey from
the heart the gospel of Christ today. There is no privilege on earth like being
a Christian.