Pastor Oluwaseyi Osanyinbi
The book of Hebrews was primarily written to prove to the Jews that Jesus was superior to whatever it was they have or had enjoyed. The writer started out with the glory of their Fathers (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob), he made it known that the glory of Jesus even surpassed that glory. Also, that in the old, God did speak to them through the prophets, but in this present time he speaks through His Son, Jesus, who is even much more greater than the prophets.
[biblegateway passage=”Hebrews 8:1-5″ display=”Hebrews 8:1-5″]
The summary of that book is that we now have an high priest that is greater than Aaron, one that is set the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the true sanctuary. Jesus said what he saw the Father do, he did also. That was exactly how they operated in the earthly tabernacle using the template of the heavenly tabernacle Moses was shown as an example unto them.
The simple act of placing a veil over the face of Moses veiled the whole of Israel. God emphasized that if they made any mistakes as to replicating the shown pattern, they would be judged.
[biblegateway passage=”Hebrews 8:6″ display=”Hebrews 8:6″]
Jesus is a better qualified person to mediate this new testament representing the interest of both parties, man and God. The first covenant was originally between God and Abraham. God just established that same covenant with Israel on the mount. The law given to them on mount Sinai was not the covenant.
The law came through the instruction of circumcision to Abraham. The law was a schoolmaster that was supposed to teach the children of Israel righteousness. Each law had a penalty for breaking it and if God did not introduce the operation of the Aaronic priesthood, all of them would perish through the consequences of disobeying the law.
The fault was with the people and not actually with the covenant. In the book of Romans, the word covenant was replaced with the law. The flesh weakened the power of the law. War against the flesh is being fought from generation to generation.
In the time past, the covenant was cut in their flesh, but now, the new covenant has been written in our hearts making it easy to obey. When we got born again, we got circumcised in a way. So, we cannot walk as the gentiles walks anymore.
God sent his son into the world so that we can experience victory over the flesh that resists us from doing the will of God. That also is the reason for fellowship, to communicate words that ministers grace.
The responsibilities of the new Testament has not changed only the sacrificial order was erased and fulfilled by Christ. Jesus was both the High Priest and the Lamb of God. He became High Priest when he rose from the dead.