Hebrews 8 -- New Is Better

For those Jewish believers he was writing to, the author of Hebrews brought to mind the system they’d always known where people sinner, brought offerings to atone for that sin, and yet never saw their consciences cleared nor their sins forgiven – they were merely covered over.  They could easily agree with what he said.

He then tells them to look at Jeremiah 31:31-34 in their Jewish Bibles to discover that God had promised them a new covenant!

With Jesus as the one High Priest under the new covenant, He offered Himself, presenting His own blood.  He put away sins instead of covering them over.  “He gave believers a perfect conscience, not an annual reminder of sins.  He opened the way for us to enter into the presence of God, not to stand outside at a distance.”

Instead of death for disobedience, the new covenant was an unconditional covenant of grace, giving righteousness where none existed.  “It teaches men to live righteously, empowering them to do so, and rewarding them when they do.”  It also was totally dependent on God fulfilling it, not sinful man.

Father, how could they possibly turn down a much better covenant than what they had?  Why wallow in sin, totally unable to comply?  Their eyes were blinded and their hearts closed.  Oh, what they have missed!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford