RPG Adults
THE VALUE OF THE OLD COVENANT
LORD’S DAY, AUGUST 25
Hebrews 8:1-13
Exodus 25:40
“… make them after their pattern,
which was shewed thee in the mount.”
THE VALUE OF THE OLD COVENANT
The coming of Jesus abolished the office assigned by the Law, which is the old covenant. This became a point of great disagreement but the truth stands. The human high priest served as an example and shadow of heavenly things. The Lord required the exercise of those ordinances for the instruction of His people to lead them to the perfect High Priest.
When Moses constructed the tabernacle and its furniture, he followed the pattern which God gave him in the mount. God had revealed it to him and gave wisdom to the builders who were able to construct it exactly as God had showed. These physical features and the form of worship in the tabernacle prefigured a more excellent ministry. They were pictures and not reality. The Lord had Israel to observe those ordinances and He continued to teach them and told them of a better covenant that was to come. The Messiah is the Mediator of this better covenant based on the promises. All went well with Israel as far as these promises were concerned, but they were not ready when the time came for the promises to be fulfilled.
The writer in this text proved that God had fulfilled His promises regarding the new covenant. Christ was born of a virgin as it was told by the prophets. John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way before Him and this was also told by the prophets. When Jesus began to teach and do many great works never witnessed before, He was in constant conflict with the Jews. There was a minority that believed and became His disciples but the official position of the Jewish nation was negative. They rejected Him and had Him crucified. However, the truth is that He is the Messiah and He came to fulfil the promises of the new covenant. His message was universal and not limited to the nation of Israel as it was under the old covenant. The Apostles were commissioned to preach this message.
THOUGHT: Jesus is indeed the heavenly High Priest.
PRAYER: Father, grant me clear understanding of this truth.