Like pointing out the similarities and differences between the photograph of a person and the actual person, the writer of Hebrews shows the connection between the old Mosaic covenant and the new Messianic covenant. He proves that the old covenant was a shadow of the real Christ.
The Old Covenant under Moses: Gifts and sacrifices by those guilty of sin
The New Covenant in Christ: Self-sacrifice by the guiltless Christ
Application: Christ died for you
The Old Covenant under Moses: Focused on a physical building where one goes to worship
The New Covenant in Christ: Focuses on the reign of Christ in believers’ hearts
Application: God is directly involved in your life
The Old Covenant under Moses: A shadow
The New Covenant in Christ: A reality
Application: Not temporal, but eternal
The Old Covenant under Moses: Limited promises
The New Covenant in Christ: Limitless promises
Application: We can trust God’s promises to us
The Old Covenant under Moses: Failed agreement by people
The New Covenant in Christ: Faithful agreement by Christ
Application: Christ has kept the agreement where people couldn’t
The Old Covenant under Moses: External standards and rules
The New Covenant in Christ: Internal standards—a new heart
Application: God sees both actions and motives—we are accountable to God, not rules
The Old Covenant under Moses: Limited access to God
The New Covenant in Christ: Unlimited access to God
Application: God is personally available
The Old Covenant under Moses: Legal cleansing
The New Covenant in Christ: Personal cleansing
Application: God’s cleansing is complete
The Old Covenant under Moses: Continual sacrifice
The New Covenant in Christ: Conclusive sacrifice
Application: Christ’s sacrifice was perfect and final
The Old Covenant under Moses: Forgiveness earned
The New Covenant in Christ: Forgiveness freely given
Application: We have true and complete forgiveness
The Old Covenant under Moses: Repeated yearly
The New Covenant in Christ: Completed by Christ’s death
Application: Christ’s death can be applied to our sin
The Old Covenant under Moses: Available to some
The New Covenant in Christ: Available to all
Application: Available to you