Heb 8:1-2 NASB  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,  (2)  a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.

• Rarely do we get an author who to be so blunt about the importance of a topic.  What is the main point?
• What are 3 important points in this verse that highlight the difference between Jesus and any other high priest.

Heb 8:3-5 NASB  For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer.  (4)  Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law;  (5)  who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “SEE,” He says, “THAT YOU MAKE all things ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN WHICH WAS SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN.”

• Does the author explain what Jesus has to offer in these verses?  What do you believe Jesus offered in his role as high priest?
• Why wouldn’t Jesus be a high priest on earth (Heb 7:11-15, Num 16:40)?
• According to these verses, what was the tabernacle on earth and what bit of evidence does he give for this (Ex 25-27)?
• What does this reveal about the nature of Jesus and God, the Father?

Heb 8:6-13 NASB  But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.  (7)  For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.  (8)  For finding fault with them, He says, “BEHOLD, DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD, WHEN I WILL EFFECT A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH;  (9)  NOT LIKE THE COVENANT WHICH I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS ON THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; FOR THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT, AND I DID NOT CARE FOR THEM, SAYS THE LORD.  (10)  “FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS. AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.  (11)  “AND THEY SHALL NOT TEACH EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN, AND EVERYONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, ‘KNOW THE LORD,’ FOR ALL WILL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM.  (12)  “FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE.”  (13)  When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.

• Read:  Jer_23:5-7, Jer_30:3, Jer_31:27, Jer_31:31-34, Jer_31:38 — These words were written some time between 627 b.c. till at least 586 b.c.
• What does this reveal about God the Father and the plan for the world?
• What was the first covenant that is now obsolete (Exodus 19-24 – specifically Exodus 19:5-8)?
• Why would God make a new covenant?  Why wouldn’t he make one covenant and make that perfect forever?