Hebrews 8-10. The Atonement is Greater Than All of the Sacrifices of the Old Testament

1.    Throughout the book of Hebrews, Paul taught the superiority of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Melchizedek Priesthood over the Law of Moses and the Aaronic Priesthood. From your study of Hebrews 8:1-3; 9:22-28; 10:1-4, 10-17; Alma 34:10, 13-14, write a paragraph describing how the Atonement of Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law of Moses. Include in your paragraph what these verses say about the following questions:

·                    What was the purpose of the Law of Moses?

·                    What does the Atonement of Jesus Christ do for us?

The Law of Moses was there for people to offer blood sacrifices to be clean, and to show obedience. It was necessary to repeat over and over every year. However, the blood of animals is not sufficient to redeem people from their sins. That required an infinite sacrifice of one who was perfect. Jesus Christ made that one-time, infinite blood sacrifice with his own body. This gives us the opportunity to be cleansed from our sins and be redeemed from the fall. We now have the opportunity to receive salvation if we repent continually for the sins we commit.

2.    In the book of Hebrews, Paul referred to Jesus Christ as a “high priest” (see Hebrews 9:11). Read Hebrews 9:11-28; the institute student manual commentary for Hebrews 9:1-10, “What Do We Know Concerning the Ancient Tabernacles and Its Services?” (pp. 390-91); commentary for Hebrews 9:11-15, 23-28, “The Role of Jesus Christ as High Priest Mediator of the New Testament” (p. 391). Write a paragraph that shows how the labors of the high priests in the temple were like what the Savior did for us in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Every year the High Priest would enter the tabernacle and perform sacrifices on the Day of Atonement. He would perform certain ceremonies for sin offerings, which included blood sacrifices of animals. He would enter the Holy of Holies alone and perform these rituals for himself and the people of Israel. Jesus offered a one-time sacrifice for all of our sins. He entered Heaven to plead at the mercy sear of our Heavenly Father for each of us, if we would repent. He used his own blood, and sacrificed himself for us. He was the High Priest for us as well as the sacrifice.

3.    Write a paragraph on why the title “high priest of good things to come” (Hebrews 9:11) is an appropriate title for Jesus Christ.

When we have trials, and sorrows that occur in our lives, we can get discouraged and can feel like it will never get better. The gospel of Jesus Christ provides the hope that we need to sustain us through those times. The Savior has felt all of our sorrows, and all of our disappointments. He has been through it all in the garden of Gethsemane. We can look to Him for the hope of “good things to come.” If we can but follow his council and do the things that He requires, we will find eternal happiness and joy. We can even find that happiness along the way as we turn to Him, serve others, and keep the commandments.