The New Covenant. What do you know about it and how does it differ from the Old Covenant?
It is not “grace” versus “law” as I heard over and over in the institutional church. Only a few things actually changed. First of all, the law (which had been written on tablets of stone) was now placed on our hearts. That’s huge. And it is something we don’t discuss enough. But the main change in the covenant is the administration of that covenant…and it has everything to do with the priesthood, and in particular, the HIGH PRIEST.
Let’s begin!
Yahusha (Jesus) is called our HIGH PRIEST. But what does that even mean?
“So in every way He had to be made like His brothers, in order to become a compassionate and trustworthy HIGH PRIEST in matters related to Elohim, to make atonement for the sins of the people.” – Hebrews 2:17
Perhaps you sat in church services listening to someone talk about Jesus being the High Priest. Maybe you didn’t make the full connection. I would suggest that most people don’t understand the significance of His priesthood.
In the Book of Hebrews, the term “HIGH PRIEST” is used 18 times. In 11 of those occurrences, the term is applied to Yahusha (Jesus) Messiah. In the other instances, it is applied to Aaron or his lineage. But why is this such an important topic, and why do we generally misunderstand it as a body of believers?
I believe most of us do not have a good grasp of what we call the “Old Testament.” There are many Scriptures that speak about the importance of the priesthood. Have you studied Leviticus? If not, you might be unfamiliar with the priesthood and its role in our atonement. The priesthood was an eternal Torah command regarding sin, AND IT IS STILL IN EFFECT!
“And the priest, who is anointed and ordained to serve as priest in his father’s place, shall make atonement, and shall put on the linen garments, the set-apart garments.” – Leviticus 16:32
In Exodus 28, Yahuah sets up the earthly priesthood using the line of Aaron. Not all Levites became priests and some Levites even rebelled against the Father’s instructions of who would become priests (See Korah in Numbers 16). But the purpose of the high priest was to make atonement for the sins of the people. Once a year, that high priest would make sacrifices to cleanse himself and his family and then enter the Most Set-apart Place with the blood of bulls and goats to make atonement for the people.
But that process was only a copy.
“See that you make all according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” – Exodus 25:40
The instructions given to Moses on Mt. Sinai were copies of the heavenly tent and heavenly priesthood. Read Hebrews 8 and 9 to get a better grasp of these priestly instructions. The Levitical (or more appropriately Aaronic) priesthood was not the primary priesthood. And it was never meant to be. It was only a copy and shadow of a more perfect priesthood.
“…who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly, as Moses was warned when he was about to make the Tent…” – Hebrews 8:5
According to the Torah, a high priest is required to make atonement for your sins. Before the advent of Yahusha, it was the responsibility of the Aaronic order of priests to do this. But many don’t realize that a priesthood is present prior to Levi being born.
“And Malkitsedeq sovereign of Shalem brought out bread and wine. Now he was the priest of the Most High El.” – Genesis 14:18
This is the only time we hear about Malkitsedeq. That is, until God mentions him in Psalms 110.
“You are a priest forever according to the order of Malkitsedeq.” – Psalms 110:3
Yahuah is speaking to the Anointed One, Yahusha (Jesus). He calls Him a priest forever…but not according to Levi or Aaron, but rather in the order of Malkitsedeq. The Book of Hebrews confirms this on several occasions. The true and eternal priesthood is represented through Malkitsedeq (not Levi or Aaron). Even the name Malkitsedeq, when broken down, means “King of Righteousness.” (See Link).
Yahusha had to die to become the High Priest. Why? Because He was from the tribe of Judah, and Moses never spoke of an earthly priesthood coming from a tribe outside of Levi (Hebrews 7:14).
So what changed when Yahusha came? The priesthood, primarily. Yahusha entered the Most Set-apart Place once for all, with His own blood (Hebrews 9:12). He was offered once to bear the sins of many (Hebrews 9:28). Anyone who denies the High Priest (as anointed by God), no longer has access to the Most High (1 John 2:22-23).
The institutional church would agree with most of this. The path of diversion lies in our responsibility as believers. Did the duty of the earthly high priest allow the Israelites to continue to live in sin? No. The Israelites were still expected to live righteously, according to the Torah.
The same is expected of us today. Even though Yahusha made the atoning sacrifice, we are still expected to live righteously. That means in accordance to God’s Torah (law/commandments).
“Everyone not doing righteousness is not of Elohim.” – 1 John 3:10
Yahusha became our High Priest as part of the heavenly priesthood…the one that served as a model for the Levitical copy which was made on earth. The earthly priesthood and its sacrifice of bulls and goats could not take away sins…it could only cover them (Hebrews 10:4). But Yahusha could take away sin. And did.
What does that mean for us?
We are redeemed. That is a powerful thing. But don’t continue to live in sin. Messiah redeemed us so we could now walk like Him. He cleanses us of sin, but if we continue to sin purposely, there no longer remains a slaughter offering (Hebrews 10:26). If you deny or don’t follow Him, then good luck… Salvation comes ONLY from our High Priest, known as Yahusha.
The priesthood is still in effect in the New Covenant. We just have a new and better High Priest, Yahusha.
“And there is no deliverance in anyone else, for there is no other Name under the heaven given among men by which we need to be saved.” – Acts 4:12
FAITH IN MOTION 