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The sacrificial system is a very vital system to understand, for it showed us paths on how to restore our relationship with Yahweh, seek forgiveness from our Creator, and how we can repent from our sinful behavior. The Old Testament sacrificial system will filled with different ritual protocols and animal sacrifices in order to show a true expression of repentance. In the New Testament, the sacrificial system was fulfilled through Jesus’ selfless life and death. Jesus provided an enduring covenantal forgiveness and restored relationship and allows us access to approach God boldly and confidently. Over this nine part series, I want to highlight the stark differences between the Old and New Testament sacrificial systems. My goal is to give you a stronger understanding of the Old Testament system and a stronger connection to the New Testament system. Welcome to New Phone, Who Dis!

Hebrews 8:13 – The Old System Fades

Let’s start our discussion with the Old Testament system, and see how this system was meant to be temporary. We’re landing in Hebrews 8:13, which says this:

AMP –When God speaks of “A new covenant,” He makes the first one obsolete (out of use, annulled) and growing old is ready to disappear.

NRSVUE – In speaking of a new covenant, he has made the first one obsolete, and what is obsolete and growing old will soon disappear.

VOICE – With the words “a new covenant,” God made the first covenant old, and what is old and no longer effective will soon fade away completely.

God promises a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah (as told in Jeremiah 31:31-34). The new covenant is described as an internal transformation, where the commands of God are written on the hearts of believers. The commands of the old covenant, which happened at Mt. Sinai, are external and written on stone tablets. The new covenant is fulfilled through Jesus, for though His sacrifices, created a direct and personal relationship between God and his believers.

The “first” one mentioned here is the Mosaic Covenant, which includes the Law given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. This covenant shaped Israel’s communal life and worship, and previewed what would happen in the Old Testament. Through Jesus, the sacrificial system and ceremonial laws are now obsolete because Jesus is presented in Hebrews as the definitive high priest and mediator. Now for the law to become obsolete and aging, it means that this process would fade away. Hebrews shows us the earlier covenantal practices through Christ. As the church communities grew, the practices were becoming viewed more as unnecessary to receive salvation, and the new covenant through Christ provided a transformed and lasting way of covenant relationship with God.

The ritual system is being reinterpreted in light of Christ.. Historically, this was viewed through the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in AD 70. This destruction guided the following to transition to the new covenant, focused on the body of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: The important thing to notice is that the new covenant reshapes how Christians understand the earlier covenantal system. What are things that you see of this world that need to fade away to create space for a new system?

The Old Systems Still Teaches us New Things

While the Old Testament covenant fades away, the morals and principles taught within it continue into the New Testament through the life and ministry of Jesus. We spent time viewing the Ten Commandments through the lens of Christ’s message, and saw that the moral truths still mattered. Look at what I talked about:

• Jesus remember that there should be no other Gods in Matthew 4:10
• Jesus said that we can’t follow God and any idols in Luke 16:13
• Jesus said to not swear by God via a promise (don’t take God’s name in vain) in Matthew 5:34
• Jesus reminded that we need to rest (take a Sabbath) in Mark 2:27-28
• Jesus reminds us that we’re God’s children (honor your parents) Matthew 10:37
• Jesus teaches us to use kind words (to not have murderous intent) in Matthew 5:22
• Jesus teaches us not to lust after another person in Matthew 5:28
• Jesus teaches us how to be content (to not take from others) in Matthew 5:40
• Jesus teaches us to be truthful (to not lie) in Matthew 12:36
• Jesus teaches us to be not be jealous (to not covet) in Luke 12:15

While the methods of how we abide by this commands fade away, the reason that we still abide by these commands is to keep a right relationship with God. They teach us how to live like Christ and to do His will in all parts of our lives. When we do mess that up, we can respond through confession, humility, repair, and transformation. We must own up to our mistakes, bring those mistakes to God, and work towards making a move away from our sinful behaviors and towards what it means to live like Christ.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: Imagine living in a time when we would have needed to abide by the sacrificial system. How would you react? Why do you think the new, grace-filled, covenant is more helpful for our current time?

Hebrews 7:21 – Jesus’ New Priesthood

Now, let’s move to the New Testament system and talk about how the sacrifice of Christ makes the Old Testament system permanent, through the words of Hebrews 7:21

AMP – (for those Levites who formerly became priests [received their office] without [its being confirmed by the taking of] an oath, but this One [was designated] with an oath through the One who said to Him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind or regret it, ‘You (Christ) are a Priest forever’”).

NRSVUE – but this one became a priest with an oath because of the one who said to him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever’”

VOICE – The Levite order of priests took office without an oath, but this man Jesus became a priest through God’s oath: “The Eternal One has sworn an oath and cannot change His mind: You are a priest forever.

Unlike the Levitical priests, who were appointed based on their family line, Jesus’ priesthood came from a divine oath. The use of an oath suggests that Jesus’ priesthood will be unchangeable and eternal, instead of temporary and imperfect like the Old Covenant priesthood. Jesus’ priesthood came from God, His Father. Through God, it legitimizes and empowers Jesus’ role as the High Priest. In the biblical context, an oath from God is a solemn and binding declaration. God not changing His mind suggests God is faithful and unchangeable. For Jesus to become a priest forever, it means that His ministry is unending.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: For Jesus’ ministry to last eternally, I see it continuing today. How do you see Jesus’ grace-filled ministry happening before you today?

The New Way to Fight

Jesus ministry focuses on grace, mercy, and compassion. He shares that the two greatest commands from the Old Testament covenant is to “love God with your heart, strength, soul, and mind” and “to love your neighbor as you love yourself (as Christ as loved you.)” The focus of Christ’s ministry is all about forgiveness, trust, justice, care, and love. To be able to go out care for the marginalized, standing up for those who are being abused and neglected, and fight systems that have caused and are creating injustice for all people, and more. We don’t have to abide my the world’s standards of how to do this, for the ways of this world are temporary and imperfect (much like the Old Covenant sacrificial system.) We have a standard to live by – Jesus. We have a rules set/mindset to live by – Jesus. We have a path to God that we can find comfort, guidance, and forgiveness – Jesus. Jesus is the new way we live by. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We no old have to abide by the earlier covenantal forms, for they are fading away.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: How can you abide by the new covenant of Christ? How can you follow the commands of Christ?