Hebrews 8:6-7 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. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.
The superiority of Christ is emphasized again in this epistle in these verses. Christ brings several things that are better than the old system found in the Old Testament. The author has pointed out how Jesus’ priesthood is superior to the Levitical priests. His position as the greatest high priest who is eternal extends to his greater ministry as high priest. The old covenant was temporary and never permanently solved the sin problem. Jesus Christ inaugurated a new covenant based on the better promise of eternal life. God gave a new promise through Jesus that those who trust in him will be saved. A new covenant was needed because the first covenant made with Moses and the people on Sinai could not resolve the sin problem. It was temporary and had to be repeated each year. If the law could solve the problem of sin, then Jesus did not need to come. Paul the Apostle shows in Romans 2-3 that the law cannot solve the problem of sin because no one can keep the law good enough. All sin and break the law. No one is righteous enough to get to heaven. There has only been one sinless person–Jesus. The law pointed ahead to the need for a savior. We can be thankful that we now have the savior.
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