Hebrews 8

“In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete” (v13). As great as the old covenant between God and Israel was, it served as “a copy and shadow” of the reality in heaven (v5). The new covenant based on the work of Jesus is “much more excellent” than the old because through it we receive “better promises” (v6). Rather than needing a priest to mediate God’s presence to us through temple and sacrifices, Jesus came to give us a relationship with God written on our minds and hearts (v10) – just as Jeremiah prophesied (v8).

“For they shall all know me” (v11). No matter who we are, with Jesus we enter “behind the veil” and encounter God personally.