Commentary
by Walter Albritton
Christ the
Mediator of the New and Better Covenant
Hebrews 8, 9
Key Verse: But
the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of
which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better
promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no
place would have been sought for another. –Hebrews 8:6,7
The writer of
Hebrews continues in chapter 8 to persuade his readers that Christ’s ministry
is superior to that of any other high priest in the Old Testament. In earlier
chapters, he argued that Christ’s work was greater than that of the prophets,
angels, Moses, and Aaron. His ministry is better because it is based on God’s
new and improved covenant.
Christ is the
mediator of the new covenant. He bridges the gap between sinful humanity and a
holy God. To bring us peace through reconciliation with God, Christ had to
sacrifice his own life on the cross. That is why the New Testament says that we
have peace through his blood.
Was the old
covenant flawed? No, the problem was with the Israelites. They could not keep
the covenant. They were not able to measure up to its demands. So, while it was
not flawed, it did need to be replaced by a better one. Therefore, God
established a new one, offering forgiveness of sins and peace with God to all
who would embrace the new covenant.
Was the new
covenant unheard of before Christ was born? No, the Old Testament prophets
announced centuries earlier that God would replace the old covenant with a new
one. The writer quotes the Prophet Jeremiah who announced God’s plan one day to
make a new covenant with
Jeremiah
realized the need for internal power to know and obey God. That power would be
provided by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The early disciples witnessed the
fulfillment of God’s promise when the Holy Spirit came upon them, and filled
them, at Pentecost. God was doing what Jeremiah said he would do.
Did God not
know that the Israelites would not be able to keep the old Mosaic Law? Yes, God
knew. He understood our weakness, but he used the law to teach us to understand
our sinful nature, and to realize our need for a Savior. He used the law to
prepare us for the coming of Christ. The law shows us our sin. Christ shows us
the forgiveness of God.
In no way was
the new covenant God’s “Plan B,” devised because “Plan A” did not work. From
the beginning, it was God’s purpose to use the law as our “schoolmaster” to
teach us that we were hopelessly trapped in our sins and desperately in need of
a Savior. In his mercy, God sent His Son, the One who would “save his people
from their sins” and give them peace.
Where does the
Holy Spirit fit into this picture? His work, beginning with the outpouring of
power at Pentecost, was to write the new covenant in the hearts of people, so
they would have a new and personal relationship with God. Laws that had been written on stone tablets
would now be written in the hearts and minds of God’s people. Now they would
have direct access to God. It would no longer be necessary to go through the
priests, as the old covenant had prescribed.
In what
dramatic way is the new covenant superior to the old? God’s mercy is
permanently available! No more sin offerings are required. The offering by
Christ of his life was the all-sufficient offering for sin. Now forgiveness is
continually available to any repentant sinner who asks for it. Even more
wonderful is the good news that God will not even remember our sins!
In the first
century this sounded almost too good to be true. Some people did not want to
change. They liked the ruts they were in, and they were slow, as we are today,
to accept this new way of finding peace with God. Others were intimidated by
the threat of persecution. They retreated to the old ways and refused to
embrace the new covenant offered by the blood of Jesus.
Those who did
embrace the new covenant found a new and glorious relationship with God. They
were set free from guilt by the forgiveness of their sins. They had a new life.
They were changed people, transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit working
in their hearts, affirming them as children of God. Filled with the joy of the
Lord, they went forth to tell others that Jesus is the Way.
This new
relationship to God required a new commitment, not to laws but to Christ, the
mediator of the new covenant. This commitment is still required of us today.
Understanding is not enough. If we are truly to enjoy the fruit of the “better
promises” of the new covenant, we must yield our hearts completely to God out
of gratitude for the forgiveness of our sins.
We dare not take for granted a
privilege that cost God the life of His own dear Son. If we are wise, we will
fall on our knees and cry with Charles Wesley,
“And can it be
that I should gain
An interest in the Savior's blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain!
For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die
for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die
for me?
'Tis mystery all: th' Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth
adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth
adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.
He left his Father's throne above
(so free, so infinite his grace!),
emptied himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and
free,
for O my God, it found out me!
'Tis mercy all, immense and
free,
for O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
fast bound in sin and nature's night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach th' eternal
throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th' eternal
throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Surely,
no other hymn more beautifully portrays the saving work of our Mediator, Christ
Jesus! All glory be to Him now and forevermore!
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(Contact Walter at walbritton@elmore.rr.com)