Sabbath School Lesson for June5-11, 2021
Teresa’s YouTube channel about the Lesson: http://www.youtube.com/teresathompson
Overview of Lesson 11
Topics related to the sanctuary and the covenant are examined this week. They include…
- the impact they both have on our relationship with God (Sunday)
- our sin, the Son’s sacrifice, and accepting God’s forgiveness (Monday)
- the Substitution provided for our sin (Tuesday)
- the High Priest in the New Covenant (Wednesday)
- ministry going on now in the heavenly sanctuary (Thursday)
In order to fully understand the new covenant in last week’s study, we must turn to the sanctuary of the Old Testament. The types and symbols there are vital tools for revealing the plan of salvation, the gospel, and the covenant.
Both books of Hebrews and Revelation are helpful in guiding us through the many features of the sanctuary–features that highlight the ministry, life, and death of our Savior. These symbolic representations help us see fundamental truths, which are the foundation of our faith.
Memory Text: “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.” Hebrews 9:15 RSV
Even though the earthly sanctuary was a shadow of the real one in heaven, we can be confident in recognizing the things it foreshadowed. It is close enough to the real to be recognized by prophets and all who study its symbols. The promised blessings of the covenant are on full display for those who search them out.
Especially after the Messiah came and died for us, perfectly on time with the prophetic word, we can see and know that our Savior’s ministry is closely aligned with the operation of the earthly sanctuary. Christ fits perfectly the role of the High Priest as our Mediator in the heavenly sanctuary, as well as the Sacrificial Lamb brought there as an offering.
Sunday: Relationships
The tabernacle and its services were tied to a relationship with God. Leviticus 26:11, 12 says the sanctuary would allow Him to walk among them and be their God. Exodus 25:8 says He will even dwell with them in the sanctuary.
Verse 11 of Leviticus 26 uses an interesting word to describe God’s relationship with us. He says, because of the sanctuary He would not “abhor” us. The word “abhor”, or “hate”, seems out of place when talking about God’s feelings toward His children. Does He really hate us when we sin?
Romans 5:8 indicates that He doesn’t hate us, but loves us even while we are sinners. Other versions translate Leviticus 26:11 differently: that He will not reject, despise, avoid, or shun us. And, of course, it is our sin that really separates us from God to begin with (Isaiah 59:2). What a blessing that our sins are covered when we understand the activities and ministry of the sanctuary and accept the forgiveness of God offered there.
Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:
Leviticus 26:11, 12 and Isaiah 59:2
- What was God’s purpose for having an earthly sanctuary?
- What separates us from God and makes Him “abhor” us?
Exodus 25:8 and Ephesians 3:17
- Why and where does God desire to dwell with His children?
- What is different and what is the same after the Messiah comes?
Monday: Sin, Sacrifice, and Acceptance
Perhaps the one activity that stands out when it comes to the earthly tabernacle was the numerous animal sacrifices that took place there. The role of blood was undeniably an essential part of their ministry. Their culture relied on herds of animals, the very ones required for their worship offerings. This was meant to teach them the high cost of sin.
The only way to be cleansed of their sin and guilt was symbolically through the death of those precious, innocent animals. The blood was shed and sprinkled ceremoniously and carefully by the priests in the precise manner God directed. It pointed to the ultimate Sacrifice of God’s Son, the only One who could truly take away our sin.
Previously, they looked forward to the coming of the Lord, as we now look back on His time with us on earth. Accepting the terms of the covenant on our part, and God accepting our repentance for sins committed, are both just as necessary before the Messiah as it was after He came. The covenant depends on both God and us maintaining our relationship in the way He has outlined for us in the sanctuary.
Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:
Hebrews 9:22
- How does this explain the importance of blood in the sanctuary services?
- What does the blood of Christ accomplish for us?
Hebrews 10:4
- For what purpose were the animal sacrifices, if not to take away our sin?
Isaiah 53:5, 6
- What caused the Savior’s death, and how has He dealt with sin?
Tuesday: The Substitution
Many verses in the Bible indicate that it was Christ, the Messiah, who shed His blood to atone for our sins. The blood of animals could not do it. They merely foreshadowed the event that took place two thousands years ago on Calvary’s cross.
Jesus willingly laid down His life as our Substitute. We are the ones who deserve to die, not Him. His sinless life did not deserve such a cruel ending. Our only hope for eternal life rests with the blood of our Redeemer, the spotless Lamb of God. Only He can give us life and take away our guilt and shame.
The Substitute is available to all who accept the gift He provides. The covenant promises depend on what we do with the knowledge of His Sacrificial death. We must not squander the privilege of knowing our Lord and Savior and depending on Him to forgive and cleanse us from our past mistakes.
Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:
Galatians 1:4
- Was Jesus’ death voluntary?
- Who did Jesus die for?
- What would His death accomplish?
Matthew 26:28
- Why is it called the blood of the new covenant?
- Why was His blood shed?
Hebrews 9:14
- What are “dead works”?
- How does being free from “dead works” enable us to serve God?
1 Peter 1:19
- Why was it important for the lamb to be without spot or blemish?
- Why was it important for Jesus to be sinless?
Wednesday: The New Covenant High Priest
Just as God’s ministry in the tabernacle only began in the courtyard where the animals were slain on the altar of sacrifice, Jesus’ heavenly ministry only began with His death on the cross. The furniture and activities in the earthly sanctuary in the Holy Place and Most Holy Place are symbolic representations of the ministry going on in the heavenly sanctuary above.
Jesus functions as our High Priest, continually mediating between God and us. The book of Hebrews captures the essence of His role there as High Priest and our need to accept what He is able to accomplish on our behalf. We are told about the copy and shadow (Hebrews 8:5), the earthly sanctuary, and the “true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man”, the one in heaven (Hebrews 8:2).
Think of the enormous sacrifice of God’s Son for us. His coming to earth as a lowly human, His cruel death on the cross, and His continual mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuary. All these events point to a God who intimately and fiercely loves those He has created. His promises to care for and bless are repeatedly offered to us through the covenant agreement. What a privilege it is to know all we can about our Creator God.
Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:
Hebrews 8:1-6
- What makes Jesus’ ministry as High Priest a “more excellent” one?
- What is the difference between the old and the new covenant, and why is the new one “better”?
Thursday: Heavenly Ministry
Through the covenant, we can do more than know about God. We can know Him as a Friend on a personal level. Because the Messiah was both God and man, He closes the gap between us and God.
Jesus can relate to our trials and temptations. There is no one more qualified than Christ to intercede for mankind. After all, He has lived and “dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
His love and sacrifice was only part of the reason He is able to save us eternal death. It was this love that allowed Him to be our Friend. But, there was another factor involved in salvation that allows Jesus to do even more. Because He was tempted, but without sin, He is also able to cleanse us and make us new creatures.
Jesus now appears in the presence of His Father, providing us with all we need to be saved. His forgiveness and cleansing give us hope that our future is also in those heavenly courts with our Father. Jesus Himself will minister to the saints as our High Priest throughout eternity.
Bible Verses to Read and Discuss:
Hebrews 9:24
- What is the purpose of Jesus standing before God? Why is He there?
Hebrews 2:10
- Why was Jesus the right Person to bring us salvation?
1 Timothy 2:5, 6
- In what ways is the Messiah both the mediator and the ransom?
Hebrews 4:14, 15
- How were Jesus’ temptations like ours, and how might they have been different?
Friday: Final Thoughts
The Messiah is the only one qualified to represent us in the heavenly sanctuary. His human and divine natures are blended for this purpose. Having been tempted as we are, and yet sinless, makes Him the perfect Substitute in God’s eyes (Hebrews 4:15). At the same time, having the qualities of deity allows Him to be God’s ambassador to us. God’s character was displayed clearly throughout His earthly ministry.
Jesus is more than qualified to be our representative in the heavenly courts above, but only as we represent Him here on earth (Matthew 10:32). We have the privilege of mediatorial work too, as we confess God to our friends and neighbors. His Spirit gives us access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). We can come to God’s throne boldly in prayer, with confidence and rejoicing, by faith (Ephesians 3:12, Romans 5:2). In order to do our mediatorial work, we must also be partakers of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).
Studying the earthly sanctuary services takes on a whole new importance, as we discover our priestly duties as saints of the Most High. The sanctuary symbols demonstrate the plan of salvation we find in the covenant. They deserve our intense, prayerful study.
Next Week: Sabbath: Covenant Faith
To read the Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly or see more resources for its study, go to
https://www.absg.adventist.org/
