Hebrews                           by Dr. Ralph Wilson

Lesson 7 

Jesus, Mediator of a Better Covenant (Hebrews 8:1-9:12)

Our High Priest in the True, Heavenly Sanctuary (8:1-2)

The True Sanctuary Is in Heaven (8:3-5)

A Superior Covenant with Better Promises (8:6)

Q1. (Hebrews 8:6) In what sense is Jesus the "mediator" of a new covenant? What did he do to mediate this?

Jeremiah's Prophecy Looks Forward to the New Covenant (8:7-13)

Q2. (Hebrews 8:7-13) Why did the Old Covenant fail? What are the primary promises of the New Covenant as prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34?

The Old Covenant Is Obsolete (8:13)

Furniture in the Holy Place and Holy of Holies (9:1-10)

Worship in the Tabernacle (9:6-7)

Forgiveness for Intentional and Unintentional Sins (9:7b)

Q3. (Hebrews 9:7) Did the Old Covenant provide forgiveness for intentional, active, maintained rebellion against God? Does the New Covenant provide this forgiveness? What is required for forgiveness to be granted?

The External Awaiting the Actual (9:8-10)

Q4. (Hebrews 9:9) Why were external sacrificial regulations unable to cleanse or perfect the conscience? How does a guilty conscience keep us from intimacy with God? What is necessary for us to be able to come "boldly" (4:16)?

Christ Entered by His Own Blood (9:11-12)

Q5. (Hebrews 9:11-12) What does "redemption" mean? What were we redeemed from? What was the price of our redemption? How long does our redemption last?

Prayer

Father, thank you for the redemption we have in Christ Jesus. Thank you that it is more than enough for all our sins. Thank you that it is inexhaustible. Thank you that we are forgiven fully -- to the uttermost. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Key Verses

"But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises." (Hebrews 8:6)

"By calling this covenant 'new,' he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear." (Hebrews 8:13)