Hebrews 8:3-5 (NIVUK)
3 Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. 4 If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. 5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven…
To understand Hebrews it is important to grasp a concept that it refers to repeatedly, the idea that the structures and relics of the worship described in the Old Testament are not the real thing, but simply copies or shadows imitating and pointing to a heavenly reality: the temple or tabernacle points to the heavenly temple; the priests’ ministry points to Christ’s ministry; and the Old Covenant points to the New Covenant. Their value comes from what they reveal of their heavenly counterparts, and in each case, the heavenly is greater than the ‘earthly’.
Thank you Father for the many ways you teach us about you and your kingdom. Help us not to confuse your teaching aides with the real thing.
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