A Journey to Easter - Day 29
- Debbra Stephens
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.
(Hebrews 8:6 NLT)
The new Jewish Christians were suffering. They were being alienated and persecuted—to the extent that they wanted to go back. They wanted to revert to Judaism. They thought that would ease their burden. That returning would solve their problems. They had become so convinced, that when they remembered their old way of life it started to sound better.
It was reminiscent of the time when their ancestors, newly delivered from Egypt, found life in the wilderness too difficult. Rather than endure, they thought it easier to go back to Egypt, to what was familiar… to captivity.
That’s relatable. The search for better can be a lifelong quest for some. Until you’ve found the best, that is. And life in Christ, while challenging, is by far the best life!
The author wrote the letter to the Hebrews, filled with a whole host of convincing proofs of the betters of Jesus, to encourage endurance in his audience. He referred to it as a letter of exhortation (Hebrews 13:22), which it is—for they are great and many. But for excellent reason: All are betters of our King!
Here’s a brief recap of those betters found in Hebrews:
In chapter one, the author preached that the revelation through Jesus is better than through the prophets. And that Jesus is superior to the angels.
In chapter three, he preached that Jesus is better than Moses. And a better mediator.
In chapter four, Jesus is better than Joshua. And provides a better, lasting rest.
Chapters five and eight uphold Jesus as better than Aaron. He is a better High Priest, who offered a better sacrifice, and assures us of a better hope.
In chapters seven and eight, he proved that Jesus has instituted a better covenant, which is enacted on better promises.
Jesus is the better tabernacle in chapter nine.
In Christ, we have a better possession and a better country (defended in chapters 10 and 11).
In chapter 12, he reasons the blood of Jesus is better than that of goats and bulls. And that His kingdom is unshakeable.
This sermon has the same power to affect today’s readers. Returning to it again and again aids our endurance—especially when we are tempted to believe the old life was the better life. These truths remind us of the supreme glory of our Lord. And they rejuvenate gratitude so we “offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28-29).
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