Hebrews 8—Christ's Eternal Priesthood

Hebrews 8:1 The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who ministers in the sanctuary and true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man. And since every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, it was necessary for this One also to have something to offer.

Jesus acts as the High Priest within the true, Heavenly Sanctuary, directly serving in God's presence. Unlike the Old Testament priests who repeatedly offered sacrifices, Jesus performed a single, all-sufficient sacrifice for humanity's sins. Having completed this, He is now seated at the right hand of God, where He continues to minister by presenting the power of His finished sacrifice.

Hebrews 8:4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer gifts according to the law. The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain (Exodus 25:40)."

The Tabernacle was a physical, temporary "shadow" or copy of the eternal heavenly temple, built according to a divine pattern shown to Moses to represent God's presence, the heavenly throne room, and the, plan of salvation. There, the Levitical priests performed their duties according to the law. The Levitical priesthood was considered imperfect because its system of repetitive, animal-based sacrifices could not permanently remove sin or purify the conscience. Jesus provided the ultimate, lasting reconciliation between god and humanity.

Hebrews 8:6 Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises. For if that first covenant had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second. But God found fault with the people and said:

"Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah (Jeremiah 31:31).

It will not be like the covenant made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they did not abide by My covenant, and I disregarded them, declares the Lord (Jeremiah 31:32)."

Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their minds and inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people (Jeremiah 31:33)."

Hebrews 8:11 No longer will each one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more (Jeremiah 31:34)."

The Old Covenant (Mosaic Law) was based on works and obedience. It was designed to highlight human inability to achieve righteousness, pointing to the need for a Savior. The law cannot made one do what is right, it can only point out what will happen in one does wrong. It served to prepare for the New Covenant, which is based on grace and the finished work of Christ. The relationship with God will be personal instead of legal. In the New Covenant, everyone will Know God. Remembering often implies acting upon or holding something against someone. God's choice to "remember no more" indicates a deliberate decision to not hold sins against the believer.

Micah 1:1-2 In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains;
it will be raised above the hills, and the peoples will stream to it.
And many nations will come and say:
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths."

The New Covenant extends beyond national Israel to all people who place their faith in Jesus.

Hebrews 8:13 By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.

In the Old Covenant, the Israelites were required to obey God and keep the law in order to receive protection and blessings. In the New Covenant, God's laws are written on hearts and minds, enabling obedience through the Spirit. God promises that He will forgive sin and restore fellowship with those whose hearts are turned toward Him.