Better Everything

The author of Hebrews incorporated a complimentary sub-theme in the New Testament book that is like chocolate chips mixed in cookie dough.  The substance is already good, but the added element just makes it all the sweeter - and better.  Let’s discover this sub-theme by delving into passages of Hebrews and capturing these little nuggets of sweetness.

The first passage we will look at is found in chapter 6.  This chapter begins with the author speaking of the inherent dangers of believers in Jesus Christ, falling away from the faith.  In this situation the iniquity mounts and, even though forgiveness is available, the repeated crucifixion of Jesus, “holding him up to contempt,” leads to a hardening that will not allow the heart to repent.  Such individuals are like land that only bares thorns and thistles.  They are “near to being cursed.” But the author informs his readers that, as it relates particularly to them, he "feel(s) sure of better things - things that belong to salvation.”  Like the preacher giving encouragement after a very tough sermon, the author gives the reader surety that when reflecting on their position “better things” are considered.  But what are these better things, these things belonging to salvation?  

Let’s jump forward a chapter to find a couple of these better things.  Verse 19 of chapter 7 discusses the imperfection of the old testament law.  Imperfection based on man’s inability to fulfill that law.  But the author goes on to state, “on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.”   Where the original law was established on the destructible and corruptible Levitical priesthood, there was now a better thing belonging to salvation.  The original law was certainly founded with the hope of righteousness in God, but it fell short of attaining that righteousness and was replaced by a new law, the Law of Christ, which is established on the “indestructible life” of a savior who is the Son of God.  The better hope was attained through salvation in Jesus Christ.  

This chapter takes it further in verse 22 where it says, “This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.”  Because of Jesus’ incorruptibility and because He could not be destroyed, unlike any of the Levitical priests of the old law, He was able to guarantee a permanent, complete and perfect covenant.  Jesus not only delivered a better hope, but because of who He was, He delivered a better covenant as well.  He established the perfect covenant that was based on God’s power, not on the power of man.  This covenant, certainly a thing of salvation, was now available to man through the forever High Priest, Jesus Christ.

But, we are just getting started.  So let’s look at the next passage - Hebrews 8:6.  Jesus, the guarantor of this better covenant and champion of our better hope also has a better ministry.  According to the author of Hebrews, “Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better.”  Even the ministry, the work that Jesus does, is better than that of the old testament priests - including Aaron and even Moses.  Jesus’ work is better “since it is enacted on better promises.” (8:6b)  The ministry given to Jesus Christ is better than any ministry previously established because the promises incorporated into that ministry are better than any promises available through any other ministry.  Inherent in Jesus’ ministry are better, more perfect promises for humans than anything man has ever or could ever come up with.   The better promises have to do with the things of salvation.

But wait - there's more.  Chapter 9 and verse 23 discusses another better thing.  “Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.”  In this part of the book, the author of Hebrews is discussing the fact that both the earthly tabernacle and the duties performed in that tent were copies of the real thing in Heaven.  Where the men of the Levitical priesthood performed the duties in the earthly tabernacle, Jesus, due to his sacrifice and obedience to his Father, performed the duties of the priest in the real tabernacle of Heaven.  The blood of animals was shed for the earthly realm.  The blood of the Son of God was shed for the heavenly realm.  Our salvation is built on a better sacrifice in the eternal Kingdom of God and the presence of God Himself by the Guarantor of the perfect covenant.

Now in chapter 10 of Hebrews, we find the subject turns to reviewing the readers’ actions.  The author highlights the testimony acquired by the readers through their assistance to fellow Christians, assistance given even in times of trial.  It appears that they, the intended recipients of this letter, were able to look past even the loss of their own property because they knew they "had a better possession and an abiding one.”  Now we see the practical application of these better things belonging to salvation.  We see how they affect the Christians’ response to those forces that impact their existence here on earth.  These better things are more than just a spiritual matter relating to our faith.  To the Christian, they are intended to have a direct application to life here and now in the human existence.  

In chapter 11 the author focuses the readers’ attention on the forebears of the faith.  How they sought a “better country” (vs. 16) and even endured torture unto death because they understood they would “rise to a better life.”(vs. 35)  Again in these verses, we see the practical application of the better things discussed earlier in the book and how they impact the Christian’s approach to life here on earth.  But according to the passage, the ancestors could not obtain these better things - yet.  Yes, their hope was in the better things, and that hope caused them to endure with faith.  But God desires that we, all God’s children from all times in history, might be made perfect together.  For this reason, those who lived by faith in the days of the Old Testament, before the perfect sacrifice of the Son of God, were unable to attain the better things discussed by the author of Hebrews until Jesus completed the better covenant.  Now with the fulfillment of both the law and the prophets, Jesus has provided the believer, of the current day and days past,  that better country, heaven, and the better life, eternally with God. 

We finish with Hebrews 12:24, where the author writes of Jesus’ blood speaking a “better word” than the blood of Abel.  The readers must understand that because of what Jesus Christ had done for them they were not under the inferior, old testament law.  They were not subject to the old mechanisms of approaching God.  It was all changed.  Moses approached Mount Sinai with fear and trepidation to meet with God.  Now we approach Mount Zion.  The people of Israel once brought their offerings to the temple in Jerusalem.  Now, because of Jesus, we go to the “city of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.”  We do this through the Mediator of the new covenant, the better covenant, who is Jesus Christ.  His blood speaks a better word, a perfect word, an eternal word.  God told Cain, who killed his brother Abel, that Abel’s blood cried out to Him from the ground.  Jesus’ blood did the same thing.  Abel’s blood cried out for vengeance.  Jesus blood cries out for forgiveness - the better word.  

So there we have our chocolate chips:

Better Hope, Better Covenant, Better Promises, Better Sacrifices, Better Possessions, Better Country, Better Life and Better Word.

The sweetness in Hebrews made sweeter by the better things.  Those things belonging to salvation - our salvation.  Your Salvation!  Jesus came to give you a better hope through establishing a better covenant enacted on better promises and secured through His better sacrifice so that you may have a better possession in a better country where you may live a better life through the better word spoken by His blood - salvation.  

Appendix: Old Covenant vs. New Covenant

Better Hope - [Under the Old] Forgiveness until next sin compared to [Under the New] Forgiveness forever.

Better Covenant - communion with God through the veil compared to communion with God, face to face.

Better Promises - God for us compared to God with us.

Better Sacrifice - mortal blood of animals compared to the eternal blood of the Son of God

Better Possession - earthly inheritance compared to heirs with Jesus Christ, the son of God

Better Country - earthly habitation compared to Heavenly Home

Better Life - living in earthen vessels apart from God compared to living in heavenly realms with Almighty God

Better Word - fallible and corruptible word of man, compared to the eternal Word made Flesh