Hebrews 8 - 8.28.25

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 8:6

A New, Better Covenant

But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

OBSERVATION

The author of Hebrews most likely had some connection with Paul, whether it was Paul himself or one of his friends who had heard a number of his sermons and read his writings. But ultimately, there is no conclusive answer to who wrote this book.

He has obtained a more excellent ministry: No earthly priest could take away sin the way Jesus did. Therefore, Jesus’ ministry is far better than the ministry of the priesthood under the Law of Moses.

Mediator of a better covenant: Jesus has mediated for us a better covenant, a covenant of grace and not of works, guaranteed for us by a cosigner (Hebrews 7:22). It is a covenant marked by believing and receiving instead of by earning and deserving.

i. Jesus is our Mediator for this greater covenant. Mediator is the ancient Greek word mesites, which means “one who stands in the middle between two people and brings them together.” (Barclay)

ii. Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant because he “brought the two parties together.” Jesus is the Mediator of the New Covenant, a better covenant, bringing us to God the Father.

iii. Jesus’ covenant is a better covenant, better than any of the previous covenants God made with men. The covenant of Jesus fulfills the other covenants described in the Bible.

· There is an eternal covenant between the members of the Godhead that made possible the salvation of man (Hebrews 13:20).

· God’s redemptive plan was continued through the covenant He made with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3).

· The Mosaic covenant was another step in God’s redemptive plan (Exodus 24:3-8).

· The Davidic covenant was yet another step in God’s redemptive plan (2 Samuel 7:1-16).

· The redemptive plan of God was fulfilled in the New Covenant (Luke 22:14-20).

APPLICATION

The New Covenant that replaced the old is one of unmerited redemption (salvation, liberation, and transformation) and nothing we earned or can earn, which was established on better promises through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  Jesus has better promises for us:

These are promises to see us through the most desperate and dark times.

These are promises that become alive to us through the Holy Spirit when we accept Jesus as our savior, the promised Messiah.

These are promises of blessing and undeserved favor instead of promises to curse and judge based on our actions/choices as was the old covenant.

And how do we receive these promises?

John 3:16  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

PRAYER

Lord, Jesus, thank you for ALL you did to give us, undeserved, unmerited grace and forgiveness, and that you walk with us every minute of every day.  Lord let me watch my words and live a life that honors you in looking for those who need you so that they come to know you as their savior and the promises you make of eternal life!! I want to be your servant and do what your word says and let each of us at DSC be a beacon of light that we may attract others to come to know your unfailing grace, forgiveness and receive all the blessings in your promises. Amen!

- Charleen Zakarian