A new covenant
by Dianne Eckermann
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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 (Hebrews 8:6).
Read Hebrews 8:1-13
The writer of Hebrews continues to challenge and encourage readers to maintain their faith in Jesus in the face of opposition. Today’s reading reminds them of a new covenant promised by God because the old covenant had served its purpose.
A new covenant implies change and change is not always welcome. As the audience of the letter to the Hebrews has already discovered, following the new teachings of Christ has not been easy and the idea of change may make them wary. A modern audience may also be reluctant to embrace change. Something new can be seen either as a welcome challenge – or a threat. Sometimes change can be so uncertain we would rather spend time complaining about the old instead of trying something new.
The saying, ‘If it ain’t broke don’t fix it’, justifies maintaining the status quo and avoiding change. The key point of Hebrews 8 is that our world is broken. The existing covenant had greater relevance when God brought his people out of Egypt but, as the descendants of these people had ignored the covenant made by their fathers, a new covenant was needed.
The writer of Hebrews draws on the words of the prophet Jonah to show that the old covenant was flawed as it was based on flawed humans. It is only a shadow of heavenly things (verse 5). The new covenant is heavenly; it is eternal. It is in their hearts and minds. This covenant can be seen in Jesus.
At the end of the previous chapter, Jesus had already been established as the perfect priest, holy, blameless and pure. No priest under the old covenant can take away sin like Jesus. Jesus offered his life as a sacrifice for the sin of all people, a sacrifice better than any offered by a priest on earth. The new covenant is therefore better than the old, because it is based on better promises.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for the promise you make to all of us through the saving power of Jesus our Saviour and high priest. Amen
Dianne has served in Lutheran education as a teacher, school leader and system leader at Lutheran Education Australia. Now retired from full-time work, she continues to volunteer on several committees and as a school board member. She lives in the Adelaide Hills with her husband, Robert, and is in strong demand as a babysitter for her three grandchildren.
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