Hebrews 08:01-06 Our Glorious High Priest – audio

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Text: Hebrews 8:1-6

Introduction

1. With the beginning of chapter eight, we come to the close of the first major section Hebrews

a. In which the key thought is the superiority of Christ

b. In which Jesus is shown to be superior to:

1) To the prophets – Hebrews 1:1-3

2) To angels – Hebrews 1:4-2:18

3) To Moses – Hebrews 3:1-5

4) To Aaron and his Levitical priesthood – Hebrews 5:1-10; 7:1-28

2. The next major section really begins in earnest with Hebrews 8:7

3. In Hebrews 8:1-6, we find a transition

a. In which the main point of the first section is summarized

b. In which the main points of the next section are introduced

c. Indeed, these six verses truly summarize what the author seeks to establish in the first ten chapters of this epistle!

4. It can all be summarized in these words: “We have such a High Priest…”

a. In Jesus, we have a High Priest

b. Not just any High Priest, but “such” a High Priest; a glorious High Priest!

Body

I. SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD (Hebrews 8:1)

A. MANY PASSAGES REFER TO JESUS AT GOD’S RIGHT HAND

1. David prophesied that the Messiah would sit at God’s right hand – Psalm 110:1

2. Jesus said that He would sit at the right hand of God – Mark 14:62

3. When He ascended to heaven, He sat down at God’s right hand – Mark 16:19

4. At God’s right hand, He poured forth the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:33

5. Peter preached Jesus as being exalted to be at God’s right hand as our Prince and Savior – Acts 5:30-31

6. Paul taught that Jesus is at God’s right hand, interceding for us – Romans 8:34

II. A MINISTER OF THE TRUE TABERNACLE (Hebrews 8:2-5)

A. ERECTED BY GOD, NOT MAN

1. We are now introduced to a contrast between two “tabernacles”

a. There had been the earthly sanctuary or tabernacle

1) As ordained under the first covenant (i.e., the Law) – Hebrews 9:1ff

2) It was built by man

b. But now we read of one “which the Lord erected”; a heavenly tabernacle

2. The heavenly tabernacle is none other than heaven itself! – Hebrews 9:11-12; 23-24

B. IN WHICH HE OFFERS SERVICE

1. As a High Priest, it is necessary for Him to have something to offer – Hebrews 8:3

a. Every high priest is appointed for this purpose – Hebrews 5:1

b. What Jesus has to offer is not mention here, but will be later – Hebrews 9:12

2. This service He renders in heaven, not on the earth – Hebrews 8:4

a. If He were on earth, He couldn’t be a priest!

b. For the Law required priests from the tribe of Levi, and Jesus was from Judah

3. As for priests on the earth

a. They serve only the copy and shadow of the heavenly things – Hebrews 8:5

b. For Moses had been told by God to build the earthly tabernacle according to pattern shown to him on the mountain – Exodus 25:40

III. THE MEDIATOR OF A BETTER COVENANT (Hebrews 8:6)

A. HE HAS OBTAINED A MORE EXCELLENT MINISTRY

1. In contrast with the ministry of the Levitical priests

2. Their ministry was simply a shadow and copy of His ministry – Colossians 2:16-17

B. AS MEDIATOR OF A BETTER COVENANT

1. The word “mediator”

a. The Greek is “mesites” {mes-ee’-tace}

b. It means “one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant”

2. By His death on the cross, Jesus has become the Mediator of the new covenant – Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24

3. This new covenant is here referred to as “a better covenant”

a. Better than what? Better than the “first covenant” – Hebrews 8:7

b. Which was established through Moses

C. ESTABLISHED ON BETTER PROMISES

1. What makes the new covenant better than the old are its promises

2. Some of those promises are explained later – Hebrews 8:10-12

3. But Peter describes the promises we receive as “exceedingly great and precious promises” – 2 Peter 1:3-4

Conclusion

1. With this transition passage, then, we are introduced to things that we will be discussing as we proceed through this letter.

a. The better covenant we have in Christ, based upon its better promises

b. The better ministry of Christ as our High Priest in heaven, seated at God’s right hand

2. When such things are properly understood, we can see how Jesus is truly our glorious High Priest!

a. One who stands ready to minister in our behalf

b. He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him – Hebrews 7:25

c. He is able to aid those who are tempted – Hebrews 2:18

a. Have you accepted Jesus as your High Priest by obeying His gospel? – Hebrews 5:9

b. For those who have not obeyed His gospel, we find this awesome warning – 1 Thessalonians 1:7-9

c. Please render obedience to the gospel today if you have not yet done so! – Acts 2:36-39