Types and Shadows...Pictures of a Greater Glory

So we've got my first dual meet today! ERHS vs. South. I'm pretty excited to say the least. : )

   This week in Bible we kind of did an overview of the Bible; next week we'll start in with Job. An aspect that I really hooked up on was in Hebrews 8. This is where the writer of Hebrews (probably Paul, but we don't know for sure) was explaining one of the roles that Christ fulfills: our High Priest.

   One of the key points is hit in verses three through seven:

   3 For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 4 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain. 6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.

   In verse three, we find that the priest must have something to offer. Jesus offered perfection. That's why he was a perfect sacrifice. Now He didn't offer His sacrifice by the law. That's what made the Israelites' sacrifices tolerable by God. He had rules of making sure the sacrifice was pure and spotless. Jesus was/is that pure and spotless lamb. He never sinned, making it possible for Him to take on all the sins of the world.

   The beginning of verse 5 explicitly says, "They serve as a copy and shadow of the  heavenly things." So in verse 6 when it says that He has a ministry greater than the old covenant, we start to really piece together this picture that is being painted. You see,  when Christ died and rose again, He not only fulfilled the prophecies in the Old Testament, He also made a way for everyone who would repent and believe on Him to be His child. In other words, our broken relationship with God could be restored with Christ as our mediator. Not only that, but Jesus didn't limit it to just the Jews who were God's people; He also made it available for the Gentiles as well. That dives into verse seven.

   The first covenant had not been faultless. Sacrificing an animal every time you sinned did not solve the problem. God made a way that was perfect, getting rid of the daily sacrifice because Christ was the ultimate sacrifice. That brings us to verse 13: "In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away."

   First, let's define obsolete. It means no longer used because something newer exists : replaced by something newer. Basically, all the rituals of the old covenant have vanished because the new covenant is better. Isn't that wonderful to think about?