HoHum:
Jerome said, “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 'Til your good is better and your better is best.” In this case, what is better is the best.
WBTU:
The word “better” is used in Hebrews twelve times. The book speaks of “better things” (6:9), “better hope” (7:19), “better covenant” (7:22), “better promises” (8:6), “better sacrifices” (9:23), “better possessions” (10:34), “better country” (11:16), and a “better resurrection” (11:35).
The key to this brief chapter (8) seems to be vs. 6.
Thesis: This verse speaks of a better ministry, better promises and a better covenant
For instances:
Better ministry
The verse does not use the word “better” here but it can be implied. NIV “superior”- KJV “more excellent ministry”- Contemporary English Version “serve in a much better way”
This verse mainly is talking about how Jesus is superior to the priests under the OT. We have to begin with Jesus and then begin talking about how this applies to us:
Jesus- his ministry is better or superior than the Jewish high priests in these ways
It is carried out on a higher plane.
The Jewish high priests ministered in the material tabernacle and temple, and for a brief time once a year were permitted to enter the Holy of Holies where God manifested his presence.
There were only copies and shadows of what is in heaven. Hebrews 8:5a
Jesus is the mediator of the heavenly tabernacle, the true tabernacle, which the Lord made. Hebrews 8:2
He ministers to greater numbers of people.
The ministry of the Jewish high priests were for the Jews only.
The ministry of Jesus Christ is for all mankind. He “tasted death for everyone”- Hebrews 2:9.
1 Timothy 2:5: There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Men and women of every nationality, and every race, and every age.
His ministry is enduring
The ministry of the each Jewish high priest ended at their death.
The ministry of our great High Priest is never ending. Hebrews 7:24 says that he has a permanent priesthood.
His mediation will never be superseded, never lose its attractiveness and glory. “Made perfect forever”- Hebrews 7:28
His ministry gives better results
The results of the ministry of the Jewish priesthood were symbolic and shadowy rather than real and lasting. Hebrews 8:5b. The earthly tabernacle, temple were made the best way they could be but how many times were they messed up, wrecked or destroyed.
Through the ministry of Christ we obtain real benefits and lasting blessings. Hebrews 10:34- we have better and lasting possessions.
Jesus ministers without human limitations. He has an unlimited ministry for He is seated at the right hand of God (Vs. 1) Great for Jesus but we will always have limitations!
Our ministry- by the way we do have a ministry through Jesus Christ- 1 Peter 2:9: But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.
It is carried out on a higher plane
Ephesians 2:6: And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. (Talks like we already are in the heavenly realms, even though we are on earth we live on a higher plane because of the reality of heaven)
I’m pressing on the upward way, New heights I’m gaining every day; Still praying as I’m onward bound, “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” Lord, lift me up and let me stand by faith on heaven’s table land, A higher plane than I have found; Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
We can minister to greater numbers of people.
Through Jesus Christ, all restrictions, all barriers, have been broken down. We are free to minister to all people. Acts 10:28: He (Peter) said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.
The Great Commission- Matthew 28- Make disciples of all nations
Our ministry is enduring-
John 15:16: I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.
1 John 2:17: The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
Our ministry gives better results- 2 Corinthians 5:18-19: All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
Better promises
Numbers 23:19 (Of Balaam): God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
2 Corinthians 1:20: For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.
2 Peter 1:4: he has given us his very great and precious promises.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail, When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, by the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God.
Matthew Cook- Several years ago, I made a promise to my eldest son – that I would build him a fort to play in, and it would be done before I had to make a 6-month military deployment. Time was getting short, and with less than a week to go before I left, I completed the fort. It was terrible…the nails were too long, there were gaps, and the whole thing may have even been dangerous – but it still stands today! The thing I won’t forget is how my son kept going on and on about how I had promised to make it for him – and I had. I don’t know today what was appreciated more – the fort, or the fact that I built it like I said I would. God’s promises are even better – we never have to worry about whether or not He’ll come through!
What are those promises? They are revealed through the new covenant
Better covenant
Hebrews 7:22 mentions the better covenant. Chapter 8 expands that thought. The covenant through Christ is superior to the old one- vs. 6. The first covenant was obsolete and aging (Vs. 13). The first covenant was lacking (vs. 7) because the people did not (or could not) remain faithful to it (Vs. 9).
4 Promises through the New Covenant:
1. IT is INWARD AND SPIRITUAL... (10- I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts)
A) The first covenant had its laws written on tablets of stone; the new covenant is one that requires God's laws be written in our hearts.
It is not enough to have God's Word in our hands, on our coffee tables, etc. Through the New Covenant we can plant God's Word into our hearts. This does not mean that we do not have to study. 2 Timothy 2:15: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Are we living up to intent of the New Covenant, or are we little different than those under the first covenant, who had the Word, but not on their hearts? Psalm 119:111: Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
It can PROVIDE A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD... (10- I will be their God, and they will be my people)
James 4:8- Come near to God and he will come near to you.
Thro this world of toil and snares, If I falter, Lord, who cares? Who with me my burden shares? None but Thee, dear Lord, none but thee. Just a closer walk with thee. Grant it, Jesus, is my plea, Daily walking close to thee. Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Describing heaven in Revelation 21:3: And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”
IT WILL BE WITH PEOPLE WHO KNOW THE LORD... (11)
The New Covenant will be with people who have already come to know the Lord. Unlike the first covenant, in which people entered it at birth; as they grew up, they needed to be taught about the Lord.
In the new covenant, one must come to know the Lord before they can enter the covenant
So it is that one must believe in Jesus before they can enter into a covenant relationship with their Lord through baptism
IT PROVIDEs TRUE FORGIVENESS FOR SIN... (12)
the New Covenant provides what the first covenant could not: true forgiveness of sins!
The forgiveness of sins means that God remembers our sins no more. We may remember, but God forgets. He casts them completely out of His mind and memory, and never even thinks of them again.
Psalm 103:12: as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
