To understand the nature of Christian sacrifices it helps to remember historical backgrounds. The Old Covenant emphasized the heart’s response to God (Deuteronomy 6:5; 10:12; Micah 6:8), but was built on many physical things. A few examples illustrate this point.
- God’s chosen people were the fleshly offspring of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 22:17-18; Deuteronomy 4:37-38; 7:6; Romans 9:3-5)
- The Promised Land was a geographical territory (Genesis 15:18-21; Nehemiah 9:7-8).
- God focused His presence on a particular man-made tent or temple, and pilgrimages were literal journeys (Exodus 23:14-17; 25:8, 22; Deuteronomy 16:16; Acts 7:44-47).
- Priests were the fleshly descendants of Levi and Aaron (Exodus 40:12-15; Hebrews 7:5).
- Physical defects disqualified these descendants for priestly duties (Leviticus 21:17-24).
- Priestly things were made of materials that pleased the eye (Exodus 26:1; 28:2, 40).
- The sound of earthly instruments gave signals for war and worship (Numbers 10:1-10).
- Incense and other offerings were made of the finest earthly ingredients that pleased the sense of smell (Exodus 29:18, 25, 41; 30:22-38; Leviticus 1:5-17).
The New Covenant emphasizes the spiritual.
The Old Covenant’s many physical details contrast with the New Covenant’s spiritual nature. We are God’s children not by physical birth but by spiritual birth (John 1:13; 3:3-6). Our Zion or Jerusalem is “heavenly” (Hebrews 12:22-23 cf. Galatians 4:26), and our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Rather than having a high priest on earth, we have a “great high priest who has passed through the heavens” (Hebrews 4:14). He does not serve in the old tent, but in “the true tent that the Lord set up, not man” (Hebrews 8:2).
For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. (Hebrews 9:24)