Today, I found myself reflecting deeply on Hebrews chapter 8, and I felt so moved by the incredible gift we have through Jesus—the new covenant. It’s not just a better version of something old; it’s a complete renewal of how we relate to God.

The chapter opens with this bold statement:

“Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest…” (v.1)

This isn’t just theory or nice theology. The writer is saying, “This is it—this is the heart of everything I’ve been telling you!” And what is that main point? That we do have a High Priest—Jesus—who is seated at the right hand of God, ministering on our behalf. Think about that. He’s not standing anymore like the priests of the old covenant who were constantly offering sacrifices—He is seated, because His work is finished.

“…one who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.” (v.2)

This verse reminds us that Jesus isn’t serving in an earthly temple made with hands. He’s in the real sanctuary—the heavenly one. Everything the priests did in the Old Testament was just a shadow of what Jesus would one day fulfill. The earthly tabernacle was a copy; Jesus is the real thing.

“Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices…” (v.3)
“They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven.” (v.5)

Back then, priests had to keep offering sacrifices for the people’s sins—over and over. It was never-ending. But Jesus changed that. His sacrifice on the cross was once and for all. He didn’t enter a man-made temple with the blood of animals—He offered Himself, and He did it in the very presence of God.

“But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one…” (v.6)

I love how this verse makes it clear: what Jesus did is not just a continuation of the old way—it’s better. Superior. Stronger. Deeper. He’s not just the High Priest; He’s the Mediator of a covenant that actually works—one that brings forgiveness, transformation, and real closeness with God.

“For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.” (v.7)
“But God found fault with the people…” (v.8)

The old covenant wasn’t bad—but it wasn’t enough. Why? Because the people couldn’t keep it. Rules written on tablets couldn’t change hearts. We needed something better. God knew that, and in His mercy, He promised a new way—a covenant not based on law but on relationship.

Then comes one of the most beautiful promises in all of Scripture, quoting from prophet Jeremiah:

“This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel… I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (v.10)

This new covenant is personal. God isn’t distant anymore. He writes His will on our hearts. We don’t just know about Him—we know Him. It’s no longer about religion—it’s about relationship. He says, “I will be their God, and they will be my people.” That’s identity. That’s belonging. That’s intimacy.

“No longer will they teach their neighbor… ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me…” (v.11)

Isn’t that incredible? God wants to be known. You don’t need a priest or a prophet to speak for God—you can go to Him yourself. He’s not far off. Through Jesus, you have full access to the Father.

And finally, verse 12, which has anchored me so many times when I’ve felt unworthy or burdened by past sin:

“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

This is the heart of the new covenant. Forgiveness. Not a cover-up, not a temporary pass—complete forgiveness. And not only does He forgive—He forgets. He doesn’t hold it against us. He doesn’t bring it back up. It’s gone.

“By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.” (v.13)

Jesus didn’t patch up the old way—He brought something entirely new. The old system is obsolete. What we have now is living, active, and eternal.

So today, I want to remind you of this truth:
If you are in Christ, you are under a new covenant. You are forgiven. You are chosen. You are invited into a deep, personal relationship with your Creator. Don’t live like you’re still bound to the old ways—step boldly into the freedom and intimacy this better covenant offers.

Hebrews Chapter 8: The High Priest of a New Covenant

1 Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, ² and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.

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. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”^[a] 6 But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.

⁷ For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. ⁸ But God found fault with the people and said^[b]:

“The days are coming, declares the Lord,
    when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel
    and with the people of Judah.
⁹ It will not be like the covenant
    I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
    to lead them out of Egypt,
because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,
    and I turned away from them,
declares the Lord.
¹⁰ This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel
    after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
    and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.
¹¹ No longer will they teach their neighbor,
    or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
    from the least of them to the greatest.
¹² For I will forgive their wickedness
    and will remember their sins no more.”^[c]

¹³ By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.

Footnotes

Hebrews 8:12 Jer. 31:31-34

Hebrews 8:5 Exodus 25:40

Questions for your Journal

Do you ever struggle to believe that your sins are truly forgiven and forgotten?
What does Hebrews 8:12 reveal about how God sees your past?

Are you living like someone who has full access to God?
If not, what’s holding you back from walking in that intimacy with Him?

How does knowing Jesus is your High Priest in heaven affect the way you pray or approach God?

In what ways can you respond to God’s invitation to deeper relationship this week?
Is there a specific area in your life where you need to let His Word shape your heart?