The Key That Unlocks The Mysteries of the Old Testament. Hebrews 8-9
“Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.” Hebrews 8:1-2
I like it when an author or speaker circles back and summarizes what they are trying to say. That is exactly what happened in Hebrews 8:1-2. The writer zero’s in on the priestly ministry of Jesus.
First, He emphasizes that Jesus has a heavenly high priestly ministry. He is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. He is permanently stationed in the very throne room of God in heaven.
And second, he stresses that Jesus is a minister in the true tabernacle in heaven which the Lord Himself pitched. By contrast, he goes on to stress in the next two chapters that everything on earth was a mere copy of the greater heavenly reality.
From the tabernacle in the wilderness to the temple in Jerusalem, they served as a mere copy of the real thing. Even the priesthood of Aaron was a mere shadow of the true priesthood of Melchizedek.
So here is the big question, would you rather have a copy or the real thing? Of course the real thing is infinitely more desirable. That was the proposition the writer was laying out to the Hebrew people in this book.
I believe the earthly copy serves as an object lesson or teaching point for the real thing. This is where Messianic believers should have a big advantage over their Gentile counterparts. The comprehension of the heavenly realities should come easy for them.
But this is also why studying the Old Testament is so important. It allows every believer to study the earthy copies, types, patterns, shadows, prophesies and analogies God gave Israel for the purpose of grasping heavenly truth. The Old Testament is the foundation upon which the New Testament is built. As you read and study the Old Testament, keep in mind that Jesus Christ totally fulfilled everything written therein.
This is also why the book of Hebrews stretches me. I naturally see Jesus as my Savior, Shepherd and Friend. I view Him as the Bridegroom and head of the Church. I do not think of Him in terms of the Old Testament sacrificial system, the Priesthood or many parts of the Law. This is very foreign to me.
But this is also why to book of Hebrews is so essential for the Gentile Church. It opens a whole new vantage point of understanding of Jesus Christ not explained in the rest of the New Testament. The book of Hebrews is the key that unlocks the mysteries of the Old Testament and the fulness of Jesus Christ.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
