WHAT WE HAVE IS SO MUCH BETTER
HEBREWS 7:22-25 NKJ
HEBREWS 7:22-25 NKJ
22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.
23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
OBSERVATION:
I am convinced that a prime reason people struggle with the book of Hebrews is due to not having a working knowledge of the Old Testament.
Because this book was written to Hebrews, Jewish believers, who turned from the Mosaic law to Jesus, they understood the context.
The author is having to reconfirm these Hebrew believers in their faith. Because of persecution, some had turned away from Christ to go back under Jewish law. So a big part of the book of Hebrews is themed - Jesus is better.
In chapter seven, Jesus is a better High Priest than the Old Testament Levitical priest. The Levitical priests had to make sacrifices for the people and for themselves because they were not perfect. But Jesus is better. He made one sacrifice of Himself for the people.
And Jesus is our guarantee of a better covenant. This new covenant, agreement with God, is where we get the term New Testament. The old covenant was sealed with the blood of bulls and goats, but Jesus is better. He sealed this new covenant with His own blood.
The old Levitical priesthood had a turnover of priests because they would die. But Jesus is better. He continues forever. He will never change. He is the unchangeable High Priest who never dies.
And Jesus is better because He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him. The word uttermost means completely and implies forever. He is alive today to make intercession to stand in on our behalf. He represents us before the Father God. He lives as a witness that all who receive His sacrifice are eternally cleansed and saved and part of God's family. Because of Him, we can come near to God. That is so, so, so much better.
APPLICATION:
If nothing else, Hebrews should give us a greater appreciation of Jesus. Who He is and what He has done for us can and should occupy a bigger place in our thoughts and impact how we live.
What we have because of Jesus is not only better than Mosiac law, it's better than any religion or philosophy in existence.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord, for what You have done for me. Thank You for being my faithful, eternal High Priest.