Hebrews 8:1-6
The second “priest” in the following verse is Jesus: For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. (v. 3) It struck me that the writer was distinguishing between gifts and sacrifices – clear distinctions exist in Leviticus. Jesus’ sacrifice (on the cross) was clear to me, so I was asking myself what might have been Jesus’ gift(s) to us. And after thinking about it, I would suggest that His very life on earth was His gift to us. His ministry, His teachings, His example… Through His life He has taught us everything we really need to know. That’s His gift!!
However, I also think the writer is making “gifts and sacrifices” a moot point, in that he goes on to say, But as it is, He has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant He mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. (v. 6) Having accomplished “gifts and sacrifices”, Jesus’ has a new ministry – mediating a new covenant (tomorrow’s reading) – a major portion of which is interceding with the Father on our behalf. At least those are my thoughts.
Slava Bohu!
Yes, IMHO Jesus’s gifts include his human example of the way of God’s character and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
My study guide added that Hebrews was written before 70 AD because it talks about the priests in present tense. The temple, the sacrifice system, and hence the temple role of the priests were physically destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
YES, Jesus’ gift of His Holy Spirit to us…! Good catch, Debbie! How could I have forgotten that – beyond salvation, the greatest gift we could ever receive in our earthly lives! GLORY!!