Jesus brings us a better Covenant

In Hebrews 7:1-8:13, we learn that as our High Priest, Jesus mediates a better covenant. A covenant is the deepest of all relational bonds. In the Old Covenant, the relationship between God and Israel was mediated by an imperfect, temporary priest, who offered up sacrifices that had to be repeated year after year. For a time this way of God relating with Israel was appropriate but Hebrews shows us that the system that upheld the Old Covenant was merely a shadow of what was to come in Jesus. Thus while the Old Covenant serves as a model for what was to come in Christ, when the New Covenant was inaugurated by Christ there was no need to rely on the Old. We can enter a relationship with God not merely through the external signs and shadows, but with a newfound love that flows from the heart.