Like pointing out the similarities and differences between the photograph 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 | The New Covenant in Christ | Application |
| Gifts and sacrifices by those guilty of sin
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Self-sacrifice by the guiltless Christ
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Christ died for you
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| Focused on a physical building where one goes to worship | Focuses on the reign of Christ in the hearts of believers | God is directly involved in your life |
| A shadow | A reality | Not temporal, but eternal |
| Limited promises | Limitless promises | We can trust God’s promises to us |
| Failed agreement by people | Faithful agreement by Christ | Christ has kept the agreement where people couldn’t |
| External standards and rules | Internal standards – a new heart | God sees both actions and motives – we are accountable to God, not rules |
| Limited access to God
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Unlimited access to God | God is personally available |
| Based on fear
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Based on love and forgiveness | Forgiveness keeps our failures from destroying the agreement |
| Legal cleansing | Personal cleansing | God’s cleansing is complete |
| Continual sacrifice | Conclusive sacrifice | Christ’s sacrifice was perfect and final |
| Obey the rules | Serve the living God | We have a relationship, not regulations |
| Forgiveness earned | Forgiveness freely given | We have true and complete forgiveness |
| Repeated yearly | Completed by Christ’s death | Christ’s death can be applied to your sin |
| Human effort | God’s grace | Initiated by God’s love for you |
| Available to some | Available to all | Available to you |
Duomo Sant'Andrea - "I Knew You'd Be A Girl! 