High Priest of a New Covenant
Hebrews 8:1-13
Chris Patton
April 14, 2024
Sermon Audio
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Sermon Theme: Christ Jesus Himself is now seated at the right hand of God and is ruling over all things. Not only that, Christ has ushered in a New Era in redemptive history—the New Covenant era. These gospel-realities are cause for great joy.
Key Points from the text:
- Note verse 1: Jesus is seated, which points to the finality of His sacrifice. Having died, rose again and ascended—Jesus is now seated, signifying there is no atonement for sin left. “It is finished” was His cry upon the Cross (see Hebrews 10:11-12).
- Christ is greater than Old Covenant high priests, precisely because Christ’s priesthood is not earthly but heavenly. The heavenly tabernacle was the true tabernacle, and the earthly tabernacle was merely a copy, a shadow which pointed to the far greater heavenly reality (Verse 5).
- In verses 6 and following – the author gives another reason Jesus’ priesthood is greater than that of the Old Covenant high priests—and that is that Christ is the High Priest of the New Covenant – and the New Covenant given through Christ is far superior to the Old Covenant as given through Moses. In support of this bold assertion, the author cites Jeremiah’s prophetic word in Jeremiah 31, where Jeremiah prophesies the coming of a new and better covenant (verses 8-12).
Questions for Discussion/Application:
- Consider taking time to read Hebrews 8:1-13 out loud. What initial insights or observations of the text do you have?
- What is the significance of the fact that Christ is now seated at God’s right hand (verse 1)? What comfort and encouragement can be drawn from that truth?
- How can remembering that Christ is now seated, help us when it comes to dealing with the problem of the guilt we sometimes feel because of our sin?
- What are some of the ways people apart from Christ seek to deal with guilt? How can we be vulnerable as Christians to at times dealing with our own guilt in unbiblical ways?
- What are some of the positive implications of that fact that Christ is now ruling on His throne? How can that truth help us?
- Verses 8-12 unpack glorious New Covenant realities. As you consider those verses, how are you encouraged?
- Consider taking time to pray, asking God to help us to live in the good of Christ’s high priestly work as well as these New Covenant realities that can give us great joy.