A surpassing priesthood

And since every high priest is required to offer gifts and sacrifices, our High Priest must make an offering, too. If he were here on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there already are priests who offer the gifts required by the law. They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.” But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises. Hebrews 8:3-6 NLT

From the text, the writer of Hebrews is describing the surpassing priesthood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is surpassing because of its authenticity and substance. The Old Testament priesthood provided a pattern of what is to come. The Levitical priests will offer sacrifices on behalf od the people on the Day of Atonement. Our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ came as well to offer sacrifice for sin. Jesus Himself was offered in a one-time act of sacrifice and it was effective and final. The earthly priests “offer the gifts required by the law.” They focused on a continual offering while Jesus’ sacrifice need not be repeated. Since Jesus’ sacrifice is heavenly in nature, it must be perfect. His ministry on earth continues “for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.” The earthly priests “serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven.” The substance and the ultimate reality of the Tabernacle was manifested through the position the Lord Jesus Christ occupies at the right hand of the Father in heaven. The Tabernacle built on earth was magnificent but nothing compared to the reality and substance of the Tabernacle where the presence and glory of God resides through Jesus Christ our Lord. His Tabernacle is not bounded by space and time. The Tabernacle of Christ is not made up of earthly materials. Because of this, every person who surrendered their lives in faith in Christ should no longer engage in shallow rituals and observances. They were part of our past and should be forsaken for we need to engage to what is new. So, why remain enslaved by the past continually offering sacrifices by the priests if we can come to God and accept His once-and-for-all sacrifice at the cross? Why fellowship and serve in a copied Tabernacle where you can fellowship and serve Christ experiencing His heavenly presence?

Blessings,