June 03, 2025 | Be God's Family
A Shadow of What is in Heaven
Scripture: Hebrews 8:3-6(NIV)
3 Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. 4 If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. 5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6 But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.
Devotional
Back in the old days before we had photocopiers, documents had to be laboriously copied by hand. In the legal and business professions, the job of copying routine documents was performed by the “scrivener.” As you can imagine, it was a mind-numbingly soul-crushing job. It’s also no surprise that to cope, the scriveners tended to consume copious amounts of alcohol. Thus, copies made in the late afternoon weren’t all that reliable if they were even legible. In the legal profession, only the original document was considered admissible evidence. (Fortunately, greater care was given to important documents like the Bible).
While not knowing of this analogy, the writer’s point in this passage is that a copy is not as good as the real thing. The tabernacle was to be built on the “pattern” shown by God as described in Exodus 39-40. However, the tabernacle, and the Old Testament covenants, were only a “shadow” or copy of what was to come. As an example of how much better these new promises of Jesus’ ministry were, in Exodus 40 God dwelt as a cloud within the tabernacle, and later behind the curtain in the Holiest of the Holies in the temple. But the new covenant provides that God does not live in a tent, God lives everywhere. We have access to Him through our mediator Jesus and the Holy Spirit wherever we are.
All the works of man can only be a pale imitation of God’s perfect Kingdom. Just as a cover band is never as good as the original, or a knock off Gucci purse isn’t the real thing, the ministry of priests can never equal the ministry of Jesus. Jesus is the perfect ministry of fulfillment of God’s promises. The priests had to make repeated sacrifices; Jesus only made one. But it was a big one, enough to save all of mankind.
Jesus is our Lord and Savior, and through His ministry, his Word in the Gospels, and His sacrifice, we are saved. Accept no substitutes.
Poem
Mirrors, Shadows, Reflects
Psalm 24
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;..
Psalm 24:1
The basis of production
All of the music
All of the art
All of the construction
All of the science
All of the words
Mirrors
Shadows
Reflects
The inner heart
Of its maker
Each a statement
Embodied
Constructed
Displayed
Every part for good or ill
Everything seen and heard
Every part of the composition
Every used medium
The whole of the earth
Each created particle
Each majestic mountain
Each animated creature
Each vein of ore
Each planted seed bearer
Mirrors
Shadows
Reflects
The glory
Of its Creator
Each a masterpiece
Commissioned
Designed
Brought forth
Every part is the LORD’s
Everything seen and unseen
Every part of the world
Every life-bearing persona
