Today we read of a High Priest, Jesus, who is better than what has been before. Here we can gain insight that all that was before was merely a “shadow” of the heavenly things. Now a shadow is not the real thing but is merely an outline, “copy” of that which is true. So the animal sacrifices, the priests, the temple, all these were not the real and true. This was all erected under an old covenant. But God has established a better way, the true way. “But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant He mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises” (v. 6). Don’t look to going under the old covenant for it is not “faultless” because if it had been, there would have been no reason for Jesus to come (v. 7). Therefore, let our hope and joy not rest in keeping the law but on the finished work of Christ. For in Him we find a true High Priest who is excellent and mediates a better covenant. As the song says, “when Satan tempts me to despair and tells me of the guilt within, upward I look and see Him there, who made an end of all my sin.”
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