The Treasures of HebrewsSample

“But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.” (Hebrews 9:6 ESV)

The Bible also gives the Lord Jesus the title of 'Mediator'. This refers to someone who stands between two parties. In this case, the two parties are God and man, who have been opposed to each other since Adam's original sin. How is the relationship between them restored? Through a covenant. Basically, a covenant is an agreement that contains other agreements. These agreements concern rights and obligations.

In the Old Testament, this was the covenant between God and the Israelites. This covenant was recorded in the law, which was written on two stones. And to this covenant pertained the service of the priests before the Lord. They offered daily sacrifices to atone for the people's shortcomings and unfaithfulness. These sacrifices revealed something of the atonement that God offers people. We will discuss this further tomorrow. However, this covenant was imperfect. Things went wrong with it on all sides. So it had to be replaced by a new covenant. Something that works well is effective. If the covenant doesn't work, however, you replace it.

Once again, the writer draws a comparison. Jesus is the mediator, but not in the sense of the old covenant, rather in the sense of the new covenant. Jeremiah wrote about this. In this new covenant, the law will be inscribed not on stone tablets, but in people's hearts. In this covenant, it is grace, not law, that will prevail. This grace leads to the forgiveness of sins.