Jesus, when the true high priest appeared He did what no Aaronic high priest could do. The shedding of His own blood brought complete forgiveness of all manner of sins. This “new covenant” mediation work, namely Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, is the only source of salvation.

The Law of Moses established the sacrificial system, which served only as a prophetic “shadow” of that which was to come. The shedding of the blood of bulls, goats, and lambs looked ahead to a once and for all sacrifice, the new covenant, whereby sin would be removed forever.

This section the author describes the Tent in the wilderness, its two different sections, the “Holy Place” and the “Most Holy Place.” The furnishings of the two places are presented, but not in complete detail. The ministry of the Levitical priests however, are only a shadow of what would be revealed in the ministry of Jesus.

The writer of Hebrews references the Prophet Jeremiah, who in the 31st chapter of his prophecy where he speaks of “new covenant” that will be established with the house of Israel and Judah. A “new covenant” because God will write His Law on the heart of His own.

Melchizedek, king of Salem, his name meaning king of righteousness, blessed Abraham, and Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek as one would to a priest. The Messiah Jesus is a high priest after the order of Melchizedek, which is superior to that of Aaron and thus to the Levitical priesthood.

The Levitical priesthood is inadequate, because it is not eternal and the priests were not without sin. Jesus, however, is eternal and is without sin, and thus is likened to Melchizedek who was not descended from Levi like Jesus who is from the tribe of Judah.

Recalling God’s calling to Abraham and the promises made to him, so then those trusting for salvation in Messiah Jesus have an even greater promise, which is unchangeable and guaranteed.

From the incredible 18 verse prologue, which presents that the Logos, the Word, has become flesh. This Word is God in person, and all who would believe in this Word would become children of God. This Word is Jesus, who begins His ministry by being baptized by John the Baptist, calls disciples, and goes about the work of ministry, will signs and wonders following. Also in John are the seven I Am sayings. The last half of the Gospel is devoted to the last week of Jesus’ ministry, which includes long teaching sessions in the Upper Room in Jerusalem, the beautiful prayer in the Garden, the betrayal, arrest, conviction, crucifixion, and resurrection. The Gospel closes out with a breakfast at the Sea of Tiberius, and a conversation with Peter.

Seven of Jesus’ disciples are at the Sea of Tiberius (Galilee), Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, the two sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. These have fished all night and caught nothing. At day break Jesus appears on the shore and has prepared breakfast for them. After that, Jesus and Peter go for a walk and Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him more than the others. Peter responds yes, and the third time acts frustrated. Jesus repeats three times that Peter is to feed and tend His sheep. Following Peter and Jesus is another disciple, likely John the author of the Gospel, and it is cleared up that Jesus did not say that he, John, would not die but would be alive when Jesus returned. So John ties up loose ends.

The evening of the resurrection, Jesus suddenly appears to the disciples; Thomas is not there, but Luke tells us others are also present. He announces: “Peace be with you.” He then displayed His wounds, hands and side, to His followers so that they know it is really Him and that He is right there present. Thomas is not there but upon being told of the events announcing he will not believe until he sees for himself. One week later he gets that chance and expresses that indeed Jesus is his Lord and God. Then the writer, John, gives us a summary of his Gospel and makes it clear he wrote it that others might also believe in the risen Christ.