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1 Now the main 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, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being. 3 Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. 4 If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. 5 They serve at a sanctuary that 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.” ~ Hebrews 8:1-5
Today, we transition into Hebrews 8 where the writer of Hebrews continues to highlight the High Priestly ministry of the Lord Jesus. Immediately after the first couple disobeyed God, they both realized they were guilty. Adam and Eve tried to cover their guilt and shame, but they chose a poor cover up. Manmade solutions for sin and guilt never work. Fig leaves of religious works never cover our guilt and never make us right before God.
According to Genesis 3:21, God chose skins to cover Adam and Eve. Throughout the Bible, garments are symbols of righteousness; either God's righteousness or man's self-made righteousness. The coats of skin with which the Lord clothed Adam and Eve represented a righteousness provided by Him in which they could stand in His holy presence. These coats of skin were a type of what God provided for us through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The garments that God made for Adam and Eve foreshadowed the sacrifice and death of the Lord Jesus.
In that very first animal sacrifice, we see the pattern for our salvation which has always been a means of God's grace. The animal was God's gift and not the work of man. The Lord provided the skins to cover Adam and Eve. They did absolutely nothing to satisfactorily cover themselves. The only sacrifice God has ever accepted measured up to His requirements, and the only sacrifice that makes us totally acceptable before God is the sacrifice of His Son.
In the Old Testament, the animals were innocent substitutes. God could not obtain the skins of the substitute without putting it to death and shedding its blood. The Hebrew word for "garments" signifies a complete covering from head to toe. The same word is used for the high priestly robe, which covered the whole body of the priest. Adam's leaf covering was sufficient only to cover his loins. God's provision was sufficient to cover his whole body. All of this pictures for us the ultimate sacrifice made on our behalf by the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the fullness of time, God provided His own perfect sacrifice to cover our sin and provide us His righteousness. As believers in the Lord Jesus, we are clothed with His perfect righteousness. How tragic that we go around trusting in inadequate coverings for our sin, when only the perfect all sufficient sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ will do.
In v.1-2 of today's text we read, "1 Now the main 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, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being."
When the Old Testament priest performed his duties in the Tabernacle or the Temple he never sat down. This was because there was no furniture in there. This was so in order to show that his work would never have been completed. When this text says the Lord Jesus "sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven," we conclude He did this to show forth the completeness of His work as THE HIGH PRIEST. His sacrifice was efficacious to wash away every sin that has and will ever be committed.
In v.3-4 of today's text we read, "3 Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. 4 If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law."
The Old Testament priests offered gifts and sacrifices to garner the forgiveness of God for the sins of the people. They had to offer sacrifices daily because the blood of bulls and goats did not wash away the peoples sins. Throughout the Old Testament millions of daily sacrifices were made. And, they were never enough to garner eternal forgiveness. The continuance of the blood at the alter of sacrifice underscores the utter evil nature of sin.
In v.5 of today's text we read, "They serve at a sanctuary that 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."
The word "copy" in v.5 means a hazy outline. The word "shadow" is a silhouette which has no independent existence. It has no existence at all. It exists only as proof of the fact that there’s a reality somewhere. When we see the shadow, we look for that which made the shadow. The Aaronic priesthood was always a copy and a shadow of the real which is in heaven. It never had an independent existence in and of itself. The whole Old Testament priesthood was a copy and a shadow of that which is in the eternal heaven.
And so, the Lord Jesus is better than the Old Testament priests because theirs was insufficient, and, the Lord Jesus has a superior sanctuary because it is eternal and not a copy. The Lord Jesus is seated, which no priest ever thought of doing, for His work was never done. When the Lord Jesus said "It is finished" while hanging on the cross, He used the Greek word, "tetelestai" which means "paid in full." We, as believers in Christ owe God nothing because the Lord Jesus has satisfied His standard. All of our obedience, now, is a thank you to God for His incredible gift.
