Jesus Is Better

“The Holy Spirit is making clear that the way into the Holy Place had not yet appeared as long as the old tabernacle was standing. This was a symbol for the time then present, when gifts and sacrifices were offered that could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper. They served only for matters of food and drink and various ritual washings; they are external regulations imposed until the new order came.” Hebrews 9:8-10 NET

The writer of Hebrews powerfully emphasizes that the Holy Spirit made it clear there was no access to the Holy of Holies without the high priest while the Old Testament Tabernacle stood. This "standing order" serves as a significant reminder of the Tabernacle’s temporary nature, which was a divinely ordained means of revelation for God's people. During this pivotal time, the Tabernacle stood as the sole channel for God to reach humanity, allowing individuals to approach Him with reverence. This setup highlights the intermediary role of the high priest, underscoring the urgent need for a new covenant that would provide believers with true and direct access to God.

Many individuals and organizations have positioned themselves as intermediaries, mirroring the Old Testament model and creating a barrier that separates God’s people from direct communion with Him. This dynamic has manifested in various ways since the days of the Tabernacle. A particularly insidious form it takes is elitism, which unjustly elevates certain individuals as more favored or closer to God based on their formal education, training, or experience. This deeply rooted misconception demands our bold confrontation and rejection. In God’s kingdom, there are no superstars—only the powerful truth of equality among all believers. Everyone holds immense value in God’s economy, and each person is called to participate; there are absolutely no outsiders in this divine family.

Jesus dramatically tore the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place, a thick barrier measuring four feet in width. This act, which occurred from top to bottom, powerfully signifies that God is now accessible to everyone, eliminating the need for countless sacrifices by intermediaries. As God incarnate, Jesus has become our direct gateway to our loving Father. He willingly offered Himself as the ultimate path, enabling us to approach Him without hesitation. Through Jesus, our high priest, we find understanding, forgiveness, and purification from our sins and guilty consciences. Now, we can confidently approach Him, knowing that we are embraced by God’s grace.

The Holy of Holies was revered as the sacred space of the Ark of the Covenant, a powerful symbol of cultural and spiritual significance. This remarkable artifact served as the footstool of Yahweh, who was known through David as the Most High God. The Ark played a crucial role in religious rituals, requiring the Levites to don distinctive protective garments when handling it to honor its sanctity. It was widely believed to bestow blessings upon those who faithfully worshipped Yahweh, while those who rejected or disbelieved faced the dire consequences and death—a vivid testimony to the Ark's profound power and spiritual authority.

The Ark of the Covenant is more than just an ancient artifact; it is viewed by some as a powerful battery, while others believe it embodies the spiritual essence of God, particularly through the sacred stone tablets of the law it housed. Regardless of these interpretations, the Ark represents God's first initiative to connect with His people, allowing them to form an organized nation governed by His divine laws.

Israel was destined to become a nation of priests, serving as a beacon of God's mercy to the world and drawing wayward nations back to Him. Tragically, this divine plan faltered because Israel yearned to model itself after surrounding nations, insisting on having a human king.

This critical turning point is captured in 1 Samuel: “So all the elders of Israel gathered together and approached Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, ‘Look, you are old, and your sons don’t follow your ways. So now appoint for us a king to lead us, just like all the other nations have.’ This request deeply troubled Samuel, for they demanded, ‘Give us a king to lead us.’ So Samuel prayed to the Lord. The Lord responded, ‘Do everything the people request of you. For it is not you that they have rejected, but it is me that they have rejected as their king.’” (1 Samuel 8:4-7 NET)

This passage underscores a pivotal moment in Israel's history, revealing a profound rejection of God’s sovereignty in favor of worldly leadership. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from divine guidance in the pursuit of worldly desires.

One of the primary reasons for the necessity of the New Testament is that it establishes a new covenant in which God Himself serves as the intermediary at the center of everything. No longer is a human high priest required; God has taken on the role of high priest, providing a permanent solution to sin. He draws all of His people back to Himself, not just Israel, but people from every nation on earth. In this divine plan, everyone is valued and included. Jesus, our Emmanuel—God with us.

Stephen Barnett