Humans have created new rules for life as we grow from children through adulthood.  As children, we made up the rules of the games we played.  The “rules” of the game were not set in stone, but fluid and always changeable.  The games were led by a self-appointed or group influencing leaders most times.  But sometimes a new leader would emerge and offer a new way to play the game.  When the leaders clashed, the emerging leader would shout, NEW RULE!  If the new leader was influential enough to persuade the other players that the new rule was good for all playing, then the new rule was put into play immediately.  The former leader became second to the new leader.

As children who just want to play, changing leaders and rules was acceptable.  If the former leader, did not comply, he just stormed off for a while.  But the games went on.  When the former leader would enter back into play, he was welcomed.  Kids are very forgiving as they accept the former leader and got on with playing together.  The ultimate goal is to keep playing until the teacher calls you back into class!

In the workplace, it is the same.  If learned procedures are not producing the desired results and are no longer efficient and effective; a new plan is put into place.  This happens most often when a new boss is hired with the ability to see the “big picture,” evaluate the workplace, and offer new approaches for better outcomes.  New rules are written.  People are trained.  We all know it becomes “law” when the rules are laminated and posted for everyone to see!        

Hebrews 8, The Message

A New Plan with Israel

^1-2 In essence, we have just such a high priest: authoritative right alongside God, conducting worship in the one true sanctuary built by God.

^3-5 The assigned task of a high priest is to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and it’s no different with the priesthood of Jesus. If he were limited to earth, he wouldn’t even be a priest. We wouldn’t need him since there are plenty of priests who offer the gifts designated in the law. These priests provide only a hint of what goes on in the true sanctuary of heaven, which Moses caught a glimpse of as he was about to set up the tent-shrine. It was then that God said, “Be careful to do it exactly as you saw it on the Mountain.”

^6-13 But Jesus’ priestly work far surpasses what these other priests do, since he’s working from a far better plan. If the first plan—the old covenant—had worked out, a second wouldn’t have been needed. But we know the first was found wanting, because God said,

Heads up! The days are coming
    when I’ll set up a new plan
    for dealing with Israel and Judah.
I’ll throw out the old plan
    I set up with their ancestors
    when I led them by the hand out of Egypt.
They didn’t keep their part of the bargain,
    so I looked away and let it go.
This new plan I’m making with Israel
    isn’t going to be written on paper,
    isn’t going to be chiseled in stone;
This time I’m writing out the plan in them,
    carving it on the lining of their hearts.
I’ll be their God,
    they’ll be my people.
They won’t go to school to learn about me,
    or buy a book called God in Five Easy Lessons.
They’ll all get to know me firsthand,
    the little and the big, the small and the great.
They’ll get to know me by being kindly forgiven,
    with the slate of their sins forever wiped clean.

By coming up with a new plan, a new covenant between God and his people, God put the old plan on the shelf. And there it stays, gathering dust.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus is the priest leader of all priests!  He came to fulfill what was written while being the new plan of God created since the beginning of time. The Old Covenant prepared people for the New Covenant—Messiah come to save us from our sins! 

New Plan-New Commandments!

Believe in Jesus who sacrificially died for our sins.

Repent of sins in the Name of Jesus and be forgiven directly without going through a human priest.

Strive to be like Jesus who came to earth to “seek and to save” and to serve others, setting His own interests aside for the sake of others.  (Philippians 2)

Leave behind religious traditions, (old plan) and run to Jesus (new plan of salvation).

ASK, SEEK, KNOCK on the door of God and the door WILL BE open by Jesus.  Seek  a growing, loving, intimate relationship with God through Jesus!  All are welcome!

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”  Matthew 7:7-8

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12

Old prepares the Way for the New.

Lord,

You have opened our eyes to see you from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old didn’t do the complete work to grow the relationship you longed to have with us.  But you, dear Jesus, came to take the intentions of the Law to new Kingdom of God thinking!  Then you laid down your life for ours.  There is no one like you!  You changed everything.  To you be the glory!  Thank you for saving my soul and making me whole through your teaching. Thank you for your gentle patience as I grow in our relationship!

In Jesus Name, Amen—All for Your Glory and our good!