A BETTER HOPE
Hebrews 7:19 NKJV
19 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.
This seventh chapter is contrasting the Levitical priesthood, which was under the old covenant law, with the new priesthood that is under the new covenant established by grace. The author of Hebrews is continuing his discourse on the better covenant that we have with God through Jesus. Jesus is better than Moses. Jesus is better than angels. Jesus is a better high priest than the high priest of the law. And because of Jesus, we have a better hope, a better expectation.
The old covenant law was good to help people know how to walk. But the law could not change the heart. The law, in essence, showed men what the limits were, but they did not possess the ability to stay within the limits. It was like seeing a speed limit sign of 35 miles per hour, but having a car stuck on 55. This is what verse nineteen means when it says the law made nothing perfect. A better word is the law made nothing complete. The law could not do a complete work. It might work on our flesh but could not change our heart.
But thank God for the better hope. The better hope is the changed heart and the pathway to God that was cleared for us through Jesus. When the scriptures use the word hope it does not imply a wish or a want but rather an expectation. The law constantly reminded people of their sins. The new covenant we have through Jesus is a reminder that we are cleansed from our sins and can live with a better expectation. Not an expectation of punishment but an expectation of acceptance and favor with God. Talk about better. What we have in Christ is far better.
And through this better hope that we have in Christ, we can draw near to God. That's a powerful statement. We can come close to God. We don't come as servants; we come close to God as sons and daughters, as part of God's family. Our relationship with God was not established with the blood sacrifice of bulls and goats. Our better hope, our better relationship, is established on the spotless blood of Christ, the Lamb of God. And now our sins are not simply covered and will need to be covered again; our sins are purged.
Never say, "I wish I had lived in the days of Moses or David." We live in the best spiritual environment through Jesus, a better hope from a better covenant.
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank You for establishing a better hope for me through Jesus. I can come as close to You as I want. What a privilege.