IV. THE FULFILMENT OF CHRIST'S PRIESTLY WORK (Hebrews 8:1- 10:18)
The description of the great features of Christ's Priesthood which has been given in the last division of the Epistle is naturally followed by a view of the fulfilment of His office. This includes the final answer to the disappointments and doubts of the Hebrews. It has been shewn that Christ possesses completely the characteristics of a High-priest for men (Heb. 5:1-
10): that the full apprehension of the dignity of His Person and Work requires effort and patience (Heb. 5:11-6): that under the Levitical system there existed an impressive type of a higher order of Priesthood which He has satisfied (ch. 7). The writer therefore goes on to indicate how He discharges the duties of this supreme and absolute Priesthood, and how it involves of necessity the abrogation of the Mosaic ritual.
To this end he first marks the scene and the conditions of Christ's Priestly work, the New Sanctuary and the New Covenant, a Sanctuary of heaven and not of earth, a Covenant of grace and not of works (ch. 8).
He then compares the High-priestly service under the Old and New Covenants in its most august forms, the service of the Day of Atonement under the Levitical system, and the Passion and Ascension of Christ; while he significantly suggests that we are still waiting for the Return of Christ from the Presence of God to announce the completion of His Work (ch. 9).
In conclusion he brings forward the consideration which is at once the foundation and the crown of his argument. The Levitical sacrifices could not have any value in themselves. The sacrifice of loyal service is that which God requires of men. This has been rendered perfectly by the Incarnate Son of God; whose sacrifice of Himself in Life and Death avails for ever for that humanity which He has taken to Himself. Through His Work the Covenant of grace finds accomplishment (Heb. 10:1-18).
These three sections:
i.
A general view of the scene and the conditions of Christ's High- priestly work
(ch. 8),
ii.
The Old Service and the New: the Atonement of the Law and the Atonement of Christ
(ch. 9),
iii.
The Old Sacrifices and the New: the abiding efficacy of Christ's one Sacrifice
(Heb. 10:1-18), complete the argument of the Epistle; and shew that the Mosaic system, with its great memories and consoling institutions, has no value for the Christian.
i.
A general view of the scene and the conditions of Christ's High- priestly work
(8:1-13)
Before discussing in detail the High-priestly work of Christ, the writer gives a general view of its character in relation to (1) the new Sanctuary (8:1-
6), and (2) the new Covenant (8:7-13).
(1) The new Sanctuary (8:1-6)
The eternal High-priest has a work to do corresponding with the