Mediator of a Better Covenant Hebrews 8:6

The “tabernacle” and “priesthood” on earth “serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things” according to the writer of Hebrews as he referred to the way Moses was instructed by God to form them after a particular pattern. In chapter eight and verse six of Hebrews the writer shares how Jesus is “set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty” where we read:

But now has he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

The verse begins, “But now has he obtained a more excellent ministry,...”. The writer began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “now has he obtained” or “Jesus has hit the mark, attained, become master of and had the chance to be” “a more excellent” which means “different, varying in kind and surpassing” “ministry” which refers to “service of the priests relative to the prayers and sacrifices offered to God”. Jesus “attained” the “surpassing” “service of priesthood” beyond the “priests” who ministered on earth.

The verse continues, “...by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”. The writer added the words, “by how much also” or “as great and far as” “he is the mediator” which means “one who intervenes between two either in order to make or restore peace and friendship or form a compact for ratifying a covenant like an arbitrator” “of a better covenant” or “a more useful, serviceable, advantageous and excellent disposition, arrangement, compact or testament”, “which was established” which means “was enacted, prescribed and legislated and furnished” “upon better” or “on, by and with more useful, serviceable, advantageous and excellent” “promises” which means “announcements, assents, messages and pledges of good or blessing”. In addition to being the “surpassing priest”, Jesus was made the “one who intervenes” on our behalf for a “more useful and serviceable” “testament” which was based upon “greater pledges of good and blessings”.

When we consider these words in Hebrews, we see the superiority of Jesus not only over the “earthly priesthood” but also as our “mediator” or “go between” with more advantageous “pledges”. Jesus is only one who could go before God on our behalf and make perfect intercession with Him. Jesus provided “promises” which were based upon His goodness and not our own, and when we realize His superior position, we should submit our lives completely to Him.

Next time the writer shares how “if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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