Better

The one word that summarizes the book of Hebrews is BETTER.  Jesus is better than the angels because He has received a greater inheritance (Hebrews 1:4).  Hebrews 7 discusses the story of Melchizedek who blessed Abraham when he returned from the slaughter of the kings.  The text speaks to this event saying that, “…the lesser is blessed by the better.” (Hebrews 7:7).
 
There is a better hope.  “…for the  law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” (Hebrews 7:19).  There is a better covenant (Hebrews 7:22; 8:6; 12:24).  Jesus is the better sacrifice over the sacrifices used under the Mosaic system (Hebrews 9:23).  The Hebrews writer praised his readers for caring for him while he was in prison.  He said, “…for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.” (Hebrews 10:34).
 
Of the faithful, the Hebrews writer declared that they all died in faith not having seen the  promises but were assured of them because “…they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country.” (Hebrews 11:16).  “Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.” (Hebrews 11:35).  This chapter closes with these words, “God having provided something better for us,  that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” (Hebrews 11:40).
 
Let us focus on the better covenant.  It is mentioned in three different texts.  The New Covenant is better because it has a better priesthood.  Jesus is a better High Priest because He is eternal.  He will always be available to “make intercession” for His people (Hebrews 7:20-28).  He is also sinless and does not need to offer sacrifices for Himself as the priests of the Old Covenant had to do.  He can, therefore, be a model for all people.
 
The New Covenant is better because it has better promises (Hebrews 8:6).  The promises for the people under the Old Covenant were all related to physical blessings.  They could look forward to the land that God had promised them.  The promises under the New Covenant are spiritual blessings.  They are promises looking forward to an eternal home with God.  That is better!
 
The New Covenant is better because the result is so much better!  The people who lived and sinned under the Old Covenant died under without any remission of their sins even though they had offered a lifetime of sacrifices.  Jesus has made the final and complete sacrifice that offers that remission of sins that we all desperately need.  It is easy to see that we do live under a BETTER covenant and in a BETTER time!

— Mike Johnson