The Old and The New

As the church debates and argues over traditional and contemporary, old ways and new ways, the same old and the changes needed, preparing for tonight's Bible study, I read and contemplated Hebrews 8:1-13. The words today really opened my eyes and heart to blessings I never noticed before. From Hebrews 7:26-28 in my reading today, the writer seems to make a very subtle, but important transition. From describing Jesus as a High Priest and expounding on how Jesus is different from the High Priest defined in the Levitical Law, notice in Heb. 8:1, the author declares that as believers Jesus is OUR High Priest, when he explains, 'the point... we have such a high priest'.

What does this imply? What do we get out of Jesus being OUR High Priest? As a believer by faith Jesus brings us into the New Covenant which contains better promises as Hebrews 8:6 declares. Promises talked about from Jeremiah 31:31-34. What does it promise?

1. In Hebrews 6:10, God will, instead of giving us the law on stone tablets, change our minds and hearts that we may be able to live accordingly to his law, not by our own effort, but by God giving us new life.

2. In Hebrews 6:10, God will, instead of us relating to Him through rituals and actions, restore true fellowship with him; true relationship

3. In Hebrews 6:11, God will, instead of limiting His presence to a select few, instead of seperating Himself with His people through a curtain and temple areas and rooms, will make himself known to all, not just the priest, but also shepherd too. His kingdom will be established and no will be ignorant of who is God.

4. In Hebrews 6:12, God will, instead of judging us on by horrid sin, will forgive and forget what we have done wrong. We will receive grace, receive undeserved favor from God.

Awesome what the New Covenant promises us. So am I saying that the Old is bad? Unimportant? Irrelevant? Am I saying that the new is better? Cooler? More Important? 'No, I am not'. Whether it be old or new, Traditional or Contemporary, Habit or Change, if these things are not rooted and empowered by Christ. Then it is all vanity and sin. I thank God that He offers all we need; the shed blood of a perfect and eternal sacrifice that blesses me beyond all blessing.