The old covenant, because it could not permanently address the problem of sin and cleanse the conscience, would "vanish away." Christ, as our High Priest, came to establish an everlasting, new covenant for the forgiveness of sins, that will never pass away. Now, in the Holy Places in heaven, Christ intercedes for us, doing a much more excellent ministry than what the Sinaitic Covenant provided. Jesus Christ opened heaven, making a way for us to enter.

The writer to the Hebrews continues with the main theme of this book, "How Jesus is better than anything." Jesus is a better priest in every way. Jesus is the guarantor of a better covenant that is instantiated in the Cup. Jesus sacrificed once for all, not like the Old Testament priests who sacrificed daily. Jesus does not need to sacrifice for Himself. He is the High Priest and He is the sacrifice, the unblemished, holy, and unstained Lamb. Now, Jesus is ministering for us in the real Tabernacle in heaven. This had to be earned/won by Him as a man, God incarnate.

The priestly order of Melchizedek is compared to the Levitical priesthood. The former is forever and the latter was temporary.

The author of does not want his hearers to turn away from the faith. This is the main theme of this book. Doing so rejects who Christ is. He argues we now have a Great High Priest who has passed through the real Holy of Holies in heaven that allows us to draw near to the Throne of Grace. Christ has made the perfect sacrifice for us.

We discuss the meaning of words spoken by the Holy Spirit from the Old Testament like, "if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart". Falling away from the living God is a return to death. The law of sin in your members is like the law of gravity, it grabs hold of you and has its way. Faith in the heart distinguishes you as a Christian. The reason why certain Israelites could not enter the Promised Land is given.

Vicar Belcher takes us on a side journey from Hebrews today to review the function of the Old Testament Levitical priesthood and how it points to our perfect High Priest, Jesus Christ. Enjoy.