Hebrews 8:1–6 “A Firm Backing”

Hebrews 8:1-6 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Touch The Sky – Hillsong UNITED
• All Sons & Daughters – Great Are You Lord
• Jesus, Only Jesus – Matt Redman

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• God’s Story: The Good News – Lesson for Kids
• Talk to God Music Video – Song for Kids
• I am the Way – Song for Kids
• He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands | Maker Fun Factory Music Videos | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The author continues to explain that we have an eternal and perfect High Priest. Recognizing that the explanation of Melchizedek may be challenging for those who are spiritually immature, the author summarizes and elaborates on the previous discussion. If we were to summarize what has been said so far in one sentence, it would be this: “We do have such a high priest” (v. 1). He is now seated “at the right hand of the throne” of God (v. 1). This is a personified way of speaking about God and should be understood not as a spatial concept, but as a relational one. “The Majesty” refers to God the Father and can also be translated as “the Great One.” The “right hand” signifies the closest possible relationship.

The terms “sanctuary” and “tabernacle” (v. 2) refer to the tabernacle, which the Israelites built according to God’s instructions as a copy of His throne (v. 5). Jesus is now interceding for believers not in the “copy” that is the earthly tabernacle, but at the heavenly throne of God—the original.

The high priests who served in the tabernacle had to offer “gifts and sacrifices” to God using animals (v. 3). Therefore, Jesus, as the high priest, also had to offer something to God. But since he was appointed as an eternal high priest in the order of Melchizedek, he had to offer a sacrifice different from those offered by the Levitical priests (v. 4). As the eternal high priest, he “has obtained a more excellent ministry” and has become “the mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises” (v. 6).

Meditation:

The new covenant Jesus established with his own blood is a continuation of the old covenant God made with Israel. Those who believe in Jesus Christ belong to the new covenant and are called the “New Israel.” The history of salvation that God had been accomplishing through Israel begins anew in Jesus Christ. For this reason, although we belong to the new covenant, we still read and meditate on the Old Testament. We have been set free from the old covenant, but through the words of the Old Testament, we can still discern God’s will and expectations. There is also much to learn from the failures of the people of the old covenant.

In this way, there is continuity between Israel and the Church, between the old covenant and the new. However, some things have been discontinued. What came to an end with the new covenant is the temple sacrificial system. As the author of Hebrews explains, the tabernacle (and later the temple) was merely a copy of God’s throne; the Levitical priests and high priests were representatives of the eternal high priest; and the animal sacrifices were temporary substitutes pointing to the eternal sacrifice offered by the Son of God. When Jesus Christ offered the eternal sacrifice on the cross, all of these systems came to an end. Now that what is perfect has come, there is no longer any need for copies, representatives, or substitutes.

Therefore, our only mediator before God is Jesus Christ, the eternal high priest. No one—under any reason or authority—can stand as a mediator between God and others. This is precisely why the title of “priest” (or clergy in the sense of sacrificial mediator) was not used in the early church. Every believer now has direct access to God through Jesus Christ.

Prayer:

Our eternal High Priest, Lord, we give you praise and glory. Thank you for the grace of continually interceding for us at the side of God the Father. Help us to remember that we have a firm and everlasting backing in you, so that we may enjoy peace and gain courage. We pray in your name. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Jesus is our forever High Priest who prays for us every day. Because of Him, we can talk to God at any time. We don’t need anyone else to go between us and God—Jesus already made the way!

• For Preschool-Lower Elementary
  • Have you ever needed help talking to someone (like a teacher or friend)?
    — How does it feel to know Jesus helps us talk to God?
  • Where do you feel safe and brave?
    — Can you think of Jesus as your safe place too?
• For Upper Elementary-Middle School
  • Why do you think God wants us to come to Him directly through Jesus, not through anyone else?
    — How does that change the way you pray or think about church?
  • Have you ever felt like you needed to earn God’s attention?
    — How does knowing Jesus already opened the way change that?
• For High School
  • Jesus is our eternal intercessor—He speaks on our behalf. When you’re going through something hard, how does it help to know that Jesus is constantly speaking on your behalf?
  • The early church didn’t have human “priests” because Jesus became our final High Priest.
    • What does that say about how God views your access to Him?
    • How can this shape how you view prayer, worship, and even your identity?