But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.
Hebrews 8
The original audience of Hebrews had been tempted to return to the old covenant and its priestly system and law. So, the author of Hebrews writes much about the superiority of the priesthood of Christ to the old covenant Levitical priesthood because it is grounded in Jesus’ indestructible life and takes place in heaven. Now, in today’s verses, we learn that there is also a superior new covenant that Christ mediates to God’s people. Jesus has inaugurated the promised new covenant of Jeremiah 31:31–34. What makes it new is it is “enacted on better promises” than the old covenant. Part of that new covenant is God will write His law on the hearts of His people and remember their sin no more and fully forgive them. The repeated sacrifices of the old covenant meant that the old covenant could not provide full and final forgiveness, reminding the people of their sin, but, not removing it finally. The prophecy in Deuteronomy 31:14–29 foresees that Israel would be so corrupt that they would break the old covenant, suffering the curse of exile as stated in the old covenant curses. For the old covenant “Christians,” the reality of the new covenant promises belonged to them. After all, David, an old covenant believer, enjoyed the complete and final forgiveness of sins in his justification. No one is saved except through Christ and His new covenant, a covenant of grace between God and His people. Christ Jesus is the central figure of human history. The old covenant saints looked forward to His work, benefiting from His ministry under the old covenant types and shadows. Christians, today, look back to Christ’s work, benefiting from His ministry through a clearer revelation of His person and works. Remembering this helps us remember that no one is saved except through Christ, and that we should therefore proclaim Him as the only Savior.
Source: S C Ball April 5, 2024
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