Tale of Two Covenants - Hebrews 8:1-13

The extolling of the New Covenant above the old is nestled between two discussions; the first shows Jesus’ Messianic priesthood as superior to the Levitical priesthood; the second reasons the superiority of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice over animal sacrifice. The author speaks to those who are quick to hear and seeks to dissuade them from a return to the pomp and circumstance of their former Jewish lifestyle. He does this by interpreting the old ways of physical worship with the spiritual realities they truly represent. Acceptance of the author’s words fulfills the basic purpose of the book, ‘to cast off any weight or entangling sin by fixing our eyes upon Jesus, the initiator and perfecter of our faith’ (cf. Heb. 12:1-3).