Hebrews

It is done in a better place – the right hand of God, a place of honor and authority.

It leads to the actual forgiveness of our sins through our obedient faith in Jesus.

The intent of this question is to familiarize the learner with the complexity and specificity of Old Testament worship as a foundation for showing how the New Covenant offers a superior way and outcome in our worship to God. It is difficult for us to understand this completely due to our lack of first-hand experience in Tabernacle worship. Perhaps if one has participated in worship at a cathedral setting or other ornate structures, we might gain some understanding. This is important to understand since early Jewish converts grew up in a system that emphasized the grandeur of the Temple.

Information for this is in the lesson text and well as Scripture.

Along with the setting of the tabernacle, the role of priests was specifically outlined in God's commands. The priests performed complex tasks each day and on special annual dates. The role of the High Priest was especially important since only he could enter the Holy of Holies and perform the rituals required on the Day of Atonement.

The significance of this system of sacrifice was to emphasize the holiness of God and man's inability to approach God without a special mediator (the priest).

The writer of Hebrews begins the comparison of Jesus' ministry to that of the priests by using the word, "but". This is a clear indicator of the lesser giving way to the greater. He begins by describing how Jesus' sacrifice was more effective. He entered a greater and more perfect tabernacle in heaven into the very presence of God, by His own sacrifice. His offering was not for Himself since he needed no forgiveness, rather it was for our sins. His more valuable sacrifice resulted in a more valuable outcome, eternal redemption from sin for all those who came to Him by faith.

A sacrifice requires death. This has been a requirement by God since an animal was sacrificed to cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve. Their sin caused death, and only a life offered in death could remove sin. Ultimately, it was the death of Jesus that atoned for all sin thus permanently removing it.

In order for a new covenant (will) to be executed, a death had to occur. In order for us to receive the benefits of God's plan (will) then a death had to occur. The only acceptable sacrifice was the offering of a perfect sacrifice. Jesus fulfilled this requirement by living a perfect human life. This death given on our behalf enabled us to be forgiven for sin and inherit eternal life.

The tabernacle and religious objects were purified with the blood from animal sacrifices. Jesus needed a better sacrifice to enter into the presence of God in heaven. This sacrifice had to be spiritual in nature. Because Jesus was Divine as well as human, the value of His perfect sacrifice would be superior to the thousands of sacrifices previously offered under the Old Covenant.

One day, Jesus will return to claim those who have been made clean by His sacrifice and remained faithful to Him throughout their lives here on earth. These will be transformed into glorified beings who are able to be in the presence of God forever.