Scripture

They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven.

Observation

Jesus, our High Priest, sat down in the place of honour beside God’s throne in heaven. He ministers there in the true place of worship.

Jesus offers gifts and sacrifices in heaven. The priests on earth serve in a system of worship that is just a copy of the real one in heaven. When Moses was constructing the Tabernacle, the Lord warned him that it must be made according to the pattern He revealed.

Jesus, our High Priest, has a ministry superior to the old priesthood, for He mediates a better covenant with God.

Application

There are christians who argue that we should worship according to the Old Testament model – the feasts, singing psalms, and so on, but no animal sacrifices because that would be yucky.

That is the old priesthood and the old covenant. We have a new priesthood in which Jesus is our High Priest as well as our sacrifice. All believers are priests in God’s Kingdom, a royal priesthood that is eternal because the kingdom is eternal.

The new covenant, and the new priesthood are superior to the old. The old was just a shadow of the new. the old worship was just the shadow of the heavenly worship.

We all have the Holy Spirit communing with our spirits, teaching and encouraging us to worship in spirit and in truth. When the church gathers to worship, it is a part of the heavenly worship.

The old covenant was the prototype, but the new covenant kingdom is the real deal.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, that we have this privilege of worship. Please help me to worship you in all that I do. Amen.