Hebrews

(See chapter introduction)

• Aaron and descendants were appointed by the Law, temporary and serviced by sinful men.
• Jesus is appointed by God, eternal (Melchizedek type), and serviced by a perfectly righteous Divine Being.

The intent of this question is to help students understand what Paul faced as he tried to keep the Jewish Christians faithful. He was addressing people who had grown up in a religious system that was a part of every element of their lives. They knew God's promise to Abraham that they would be His people. Now, they were being told that they had misunderstood or had been taught in error and needed to change. We find many people today who grew up in a religious system that seems right to them, but now are being told that they are in error and need to change. This causes the same dilemma that the Jews faced from family and associates to not change their present convictions, or if they have, there is a constant pressure to return to their previous lives.

Regardless the answers, look for the need to show compassion, patience and sound reasoning based on evidence from the Bible rather than feelings or opinions. Feelings are important, but in the search for God's will we must study the Scriptures and what they say about salvation. Impress on students that convincing family usually takes time, thus the need for patience.

He does not minister in a man-made place, but at the right hand of God, in the presence of God. The position of being at the right hand of God signifies a place of honor and authority. In this position, Jesus serves as our direct mediator with God.

Covenant is a word that means a binding promise or agreement. God established the covenant between Himself and mankind – not mankind. It is a covenant with all who hear and obey. It cannot be changed by men. It is the culmination of all of God's actions throughout man's history. A major component of the covenant is that Jesus is the One who mediates between ourselves and God.

The new covenant is inward focused and spiritual in nature.

The Old Testament had many complex external rituals and God's commands written on stone for all to see, learn and be judged by. The people could not directly approach or be near God. This is because they were unworthy to come before God.

With the new covenant, we know God's laws and desire to obey because we have a better sense of who God is. We have an internal understanding due to God's will written in our hearts and revealed by the Holy Spirit as we grow and mature. This begins with the new birth (John 3:3-6) and continues to transform us.

The new covenant is both personal and universal.

Under the old covenant only scribes and rulers could teach. In the new covenant, the promise was made that there would be personal, intimate knowledge of God and all would have access to the knowledge of God and His will.

Deals effectively with sin.

Unlike the Old Covenant that required the priests to continually offer the sacrifices of dead animals to cover the sins of the people, the New Covenant has the Son of God both as the One offering a sacrifice and that sacrifice is Himself (Jesus dying on the cross and resurrecting three days later). This offering to God actually removes sin from man forever so that there will never again be the need for a sin sacrifice.

If we enter into God's covenant by our obedient faith, we receive God's forgiveness of sin and the promise of continued forgiveness as we live faithfully (I John 5:10). This begins our journey of spiritual growth that steadily brings about a transformation in our lives. By remaining faithful, we are prepared for the Lord's return.