In 1518, as Hernando Cortez and his men landed on the shore of Mexico, which they had come to conquer, there lay all kinds of obstacles ahead. They had battles to fight, and within that, Cortez was not exactly sure that his men would remain loyal to the cause. He feared they might revolt. Consequently, he burned his ships as they sat there in the harbor. They still had battles to win, but their only way of escape had now disappeared. There was no going back; it was no longer an option. They could attempt a swim, but that would end in death. There was nothing to go back to, and now they had to press forward, despite their possible hesitancies to do so.

This is somewhat similar to what we find in Hebrews, as we have been studying the book to this point. For these individuals are being tempted to desert their profession of Christ and try to return to Judaism, to living under the Old Covenant. Therefore, in chapter 7, the author of Hebrews has shown them that Christ’s priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood and that the Levitical priesthood was not able to bring salvation in and of itself. This argument climaxes in 7:11, as he writes, “Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one from Aaron?” In that chapter he also began to argue that the work of Christ as our great high priest was superior.

Thus, before chapter 8 we see that he is beginning to show that there is nothing to return to for salvation should they try to return. In chapter 8, one could say, he seals the deal. For in this chapter he shows them the passing nature of the Old Covenant, the supremacy of Christ’s priesthood, and the blessings of the New Covenant. Therefore, this morning let’s look at his continuing argument of why they must hold fast to Christ alone.

Jesus’ work as a high priest is superior to the work of the Levitical priests

As aforementioned, the author of Hebrews has been arguing this point for a while now, yet he brings down the anvil, if you will, in chapter 8. He writes, “Now the point we are saying is this: we have such high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places in the true tabernacle that the Lord set up, not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices, thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. 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. They serve a copy and shadow of heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tabernacle, he was instructed by God, saying, ‘See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain.’ But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises” (8:1-6).

Thus, we see in these verses at least four ways in which Jesus’ priesthood and work as such is superior to the Levitical priesthood, though there may be even more implied. However, in order to see the contrast, we must first familiarize ourselves with the work of the high priest under the Old Covenant.

The priest was humanity’s representative before God. Hebrews 5:1 says, “For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God.” He is the one who goes before God on behalf of those whom he represents. This is why the priest’s garments had to be so detailed. For example, we read in Exodus 28 that Aaron was to fasten twelve stones on this breastpiece, representing the twelve tribes of Israel as he came before the Lord. Exodus 28:29 says, “And Aaron shall carry the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment over his heart when he enters the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually.” He did this because he served as their representative before God. The most intriguing work that the high priest did was that he alone presided over the offering of sacrifices on the Day of Atonement, which is described in Leviticus 16.

On the Day of Atonement (observed once per year), he would enter the Holy of Holies with the sacrificial blood on behalf of himself and the people. He wore a special garment (16:4) and offered a bullock as a sin offering for himself and his house (16:6, 11). Then, after he sprinkled blood on the mercy seat seven times as atonement, he had to leave the Holy of Holies and offer a goat as a sin offering for Israel and the holy place (16:15-16). He then sent a live goat into the desert to carry away the sins of Israel (16:20-22). Finally, after washing, changing into his normal garments, offering burnt offerings and burning the fat of the sin offering, he would take the carcasses of the bullock and goat outside the camp to be burnt (16:23-27). And in doing all of this he was coming before God on behalf of the people and offering a sacrifice as atonement for their sins before a holy God.

First, (comparing the above with Hebrews 8:1-6) Jesus’ ministry of atonement was done in the heavens versus the Levitical priest’s earthly ministry.

Therefore, the author of Hebrews compares and says that Jesus is seated at the right hand of Majesty (meaning he will never have to offer another sacrifice), but then describes him as, “A minister in the holy places, in the true tabernacle, that the Lord set up, not man” (1-2). The Levitical priests ministered in the tabernacle, a tent, constructed by them to mimic the design of the heavenly things. That’s why Moses had to received exact detailed instructions for how this thing should look. And it was a good copy, but nonetheless a copy.

Therefore, the author of Hebrews wants us to see that Jesus’ ministry of atonement was not carried out in some place meant to copy the real thing. He carried out his ministry in the true tabernacle, in heaven.

Second, not only did he minister in the real heavenly sphere, but he really provided atonement, rather than copying an atonement that would come later. The priests did their ministry as they were instructed by the law, but the law was not to be an end in itself. They were not supposed to see the bulls and goats as that which could ultimately atone for their sins. These actions of atonement were meant to be models, copies, and shadows to point them to the reality of atonement that would come later. The author of Hebrews says, that it has come in Christ.

Third, the ministry of our high priest was not simply carried out under a system meant to reflect the character of the law, but was carried out by one who is himself divine – God, the Son. For the author of Hebrews writes that Jesus would not have even been a priest under the law, but he supercedes the law, for he is himself God.

Finally, his sacrifice was better because it was himself, once and for all. The author of Hebrews mentions that every high priest must have something to offer as a sacrifice. Well, our great high priest offered himself, and it was a perfect sacrifice so that no more sacrifices need to be offered.

Therefore, in all of this, the author of Hebrews can conclude: “But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is much more excellent than the old.” His ministry was better, for it was perfect. But he also, then begins to point out that there was something wrong with the entire structure and system of the Old Covenant.

The Old Covenant is lacking in what is needed and thus served to point to the New Covenant that would come

The author of Hebrews more than suggests that the covenant made with the Israelites after the Lord brought them out of Egypt was not a covenant that was perfect. In fact, he has hinted at it by saying in verse 6 that the covenant Christ mediates “is better since it is enacted on better promises.” However, the clinching point of his argument is in verse 7, as he writes, “For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.”

He is saying, “Folks, listen. If the first covenant had been all that is necessary to enjoy a saving relationship and be God’s child (in and of itself), then there would have been no need to bring about another. However, God himself finds fault with the Old Covenant and speaks of a new one to come.”

Therefore, lest we are saying to ourselves, “Whoa, we’re not saying that God made a mistake are we?” No, we aren’t. But God himself said that it was not enough, and he prophesied of a better covenant to come in Jeremiah 31, which we will read in a bit as it is quoted later in this chapter.

So, God made a covenant with the Israelites at Mount Sinai. He gave them commandments to follow and obey, civil laws to carry about, ceremonial rites by which they practiced such ceremonies as the Day of Atonement (described above), but it was never given to bring about salvation.

Paul makes this clear in Galatians 3:11 (amidst other places), writing, “It is evident that no one is justified before God by the law.” Why then even give it?, we might ask. Paul answers, “It was added because of transgressions (i.e. to show Israel their sin) until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made” (Gal. 3:19). Thus, the law is not against God’s purpose but was meant to show our need for something greater, namely, that which was brought about by Christ – the New Covenant (see Galatians 3:19-29).

Therefore, the law was meant to serve with a prophetic function. It should have pointed them to a greater reality to come, another covenant. God had even promised it. And the author of Hebrews is now saying, “This New Covenant is here. And you are about to walk away from it as it is wrapped up in the work of Christ.”

They were wanting to return to the shadows, if you will. William Marshall and I were able to travel Europe in the winter of 1999. One of the most enjoyable memories I have was our arrival in London. We came in on the underground and walked along the tunnels before we finally saw light creeping through at the top of a stairwell. As we walked up the stairs, I soon began to see a long shadow that was over the ground. Therefore, as I surfaced, my eyes followed the shadows up to this huge, towering monument that stands at the center of Trafalgar Square. Now do you think for one moment I thought about marveling at those shadows? No. They had served their purpose. But now I saw the real thing. I saw the substance, and when you find the substance, you should soon realize that the shadows pale in comparison. That is what the author of Hebrews wanted these professing believers to see. The Old Covenant was good and served its purpose, but its purpose was to lead to the substance that has now arrived!

The New Covenant has been brought about in Christ, and there is salvation in him and his work alone

Now, this idea might have seemed to be a strong statement to make, but he wants to show them that God himself had spoken in this way even back in Jeremiah 31:31-34, which he quotes in the latter part of this chapter, writing, “For he finds fault with [it or them] when he says, “Behold, the days are coming declares the Lord, when I will establish a New Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel: ‘After those days, declares the Lord, I will put my laws into their minds and write them on their heart and I will be their God and they shall be my people and they shall not teach each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities and I will remember their sins no more’” (8-12).

The Old Covenant was not powerful enough to make people holy before God, in an of itself. There was a need. God found fault with it. However, the promise of the New Covenant, that which is brought about in Christ, is that we will be God’s people, we will have forgiveness of sins, we will have new hearts, and everyone in the covenant will get what was accomplished by it.

And those in the covenant are those who have placed their faith in Christ. Therefore, these are realities for you if you are converted. God has forgiven your sins, given you a new heart, made you his child, and full and complete salvation awaits you upon his return. This is indeed a covenant enacted on better promises, and it is our reality.

There is no other place to turn

Therefore, the conclusion of verse 13 reads, “In speaking of a New Covenant, he makes the first one obsolete, and what is becoming obsolete is growing old and is ready to vanish away.” The Old Covenant is like scaffolding on a building. It serves a great and necessary purpose, but once the building is complete, it is obsolete. The Old Covenant had rightly served its purpose in their eyes and pointed them to Christ. So, don’t try to undo what had been done rightly. This is the message of Hebrews 8.

What then are the implications and applications for us, then? Let me end with three.

1) To shrink back from the offer of salvation in Christ alone is to sink back from the offer of salvation.

The message of Hebrews 8 has implications for us as we try to witness in society. If the Old Covenant was not and is not enough, then nothing else besides faith in Jesus Christ is. God has made no other provision for being justified before him than by placing one’s faith in Christ and his atoning work on the cross.

2) We must wrestle for people’s souls even as the author of Hebrews does

As I looked over this chapter, I thought, “To what length is this guy willing to go to fight for the souls of his hearers!” And doesn’t it challenge us to do the same, encouraging one another and witnessing to those who have not yet believed. Try this week to think strategically about engaging in conversation with your lost neighbor about the gospel. Be willing to fight for their souls.

3) We need to continually meditate on the blessed reality of what has occurred with Christ’s work – the New Covenant.

He gave us the elements of the table that we might remember it. Therefore, let us worship in this task of remembrance as we close. Amen.

THE NEW COVENANT: THE SUBSTANCE OF THE SHADOWS