Today we read more about Jesus and his superior ministry as high priest, because the covenant that he mediates is better (like the heavenly tabernacle) than the former, enacted on better promises. This new covenant was prophesied by Jeremiah as the writer has quoted.
We are so fortunate to be born in a time when the “laws” of the new covenant are in our minds, and inscribed in our hearts.
The readers were encouraged to recognize this new covenant and realize that whatever they were thinking of doing with their faith, going back to the first covenant and law was not an option — it was aging and about to disappear.
In Sunday Class, we are studying 1 Peter 2. In verse 9 (NLT), it says, “…you are a chosen people. You are royal priests…” NIV translates the last phrase as “royal priesthood”. Putting this together with Hebrews 8: WOW…we are royal priests, under the leadership of the great high priest, Jesus! This fits right in with our call to “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15.
Thanks for saying this, Barb. I see the connection too but didn’t have a good way to talk about it.