The Old Testament prepares for the New. The thousands of lambs sacrificed point to the one final sacrifice of the Lamb of God. The prophets prepare the way for the coming Messiah. All this we know if we have any familiarity with the biblical story.
Yet I still love the way the author of Hebrews writes about the Person and Work of Christ. I have dozens of favourite verses found in almost every chapter of this book. What especially captures me is the wonderful way in which the author, while appreciative of the old, wants us to truly understand how great is the new.
For example in chapter 7, the author demonstrates through the example of Melchizedek, that Christ is the superior priest; the one great High Priest. He meets our need because He is "holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens." Hebrews 7:26
But the author wants us to understand and appreciate more of what we believers now enjoy. Here is just one verse that captures this theme.
"But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises." 8:6
Jesus is our superior, excellent High Priest. And He has a "superior ministry"; has established a "superior covenant" and it is based on "better promises."
We live in a world inundated with overwhelming advertising making unbelievable claims. However when you are shopping for a new washing machine, a new car or a new computer, you should ignore the commercial claims. If you can find one that is actually superior in several ways, purchasing it rather than one of the competitors is a no brainer. Of course we want the better, the superior one.
And so I read this one sentence claim of what Jesus provides for us, in a world of competing religions and no religions, and I rejoice. Yes, by God's grace we have the superior Saviour and through Him we find that all He provides and will provide is better, is more excellent.
This is the Good News we've believed and begun to enjoy. It is the Good News we have to share with others who can find Someone so much better who provides so much more!
Yet I still love the way the author of Hebrews writes about the Person and Work of Christ. I have dozens of favourite verses found in almost every chapter of this book. What especially captures me is the wonderful way in which the author, while appreciative of the old, wants us to truly understand how great is the new.
For example in chapter 7, the author demonstrates through the example of Melchizedek, that Christ is the superior priest; the one great High Priest. He meets our need because He is "holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens." Hebrews 7:26
But the author wants us to understand and appreciate more of what we believers now enjoy. Here is just one verse that captures this theme.
"But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises." 8:6
Jesus is our superior, excellent High Priest. And He has a "superior ministry"; has established a "superior covenant" and it is based on "better promises."
We live in a world inundated with overwhelming advertising making unbelievable claims. However when you are shopping for a new washing machine, a new car or a new computer, you should ignore the commercial claims. If you can find one that is actually superior in several ways, purchasing it rather than one of the competitors is a no brainer. Of course we want the better, the superior one.
And so I read this one sentence claim of what Jesus provides for us, in a world of competing religions and no religions, and I rejoice. Yes, by God's grace we have the superior Saviour and through Him we find that all He provides and will provide is better, is more excellent.
This is the Good News we've believed and begun to enjoy. It is the Good News we have to share with others who can find Someone so much better who provides so much more!
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