In the ESV, the writer of Hebrews uses the word “better” ten times. By doing so, he compares the old and new covenants, highlighting the superiority of the new. What makes the new covenant so much better than the old? That is what we will examine in this week’s blogs.

Let’s start with the new covenant itself, and then we will look at some things within the covenant the rest of the week.

Hebrews 7:20–22 (ESV)
²⁰ And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, ²¹ but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’ ” ²² This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.

In saying that the new covenant was better than the old, the writer of Hebrews was not demeaning the old covenant, he was simply elevating the new.  This was the danger of comparing the two covenants—some would inevitably conclude that the writer was putting down one of them.  When Paul wrote of the need to escape the old law, he knew that some would say that he was accusing the old law of being sinful; thus, he made it clear that he was not saying that.

Romans 7:12 (ESV)
¹² So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

The reference to the law is a reference to the old covenant.  It was holy, righteous, and good.  So, why was it necessary, if it was so good, for God to bring forth a different covenant?  The answer to this question highlights the superiority of the new covenant.  The old covenant needed replacing because it was not, nor was it meant to be, a plan of salvation.  As a result, it could not set a person free from sin.

Acts 13:38–39 (ESV)
³⁸ Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, ³⁹ and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

The new covenant is better because it offers, through the blood of Jesus, the forgiveness of sins.  Paul called it the law of the Spirit of life (Romans 8:2) because it is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16).  Not only can one be set free from sin when originally obeying it (Romans 7:1-7), but forgiveness of sins can be experienced over and over again if the stipulations of the covenant are satisfied, namely repenting and asking God for forgiveness (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:7-9).

The power of the new covenant is found in the blood of Christ that it contains.  Any covenant that is void of the blood of Christ is helpless when it comes to the forgiveness of sins.  As it stands, there is only one covenant wherein the blood of Christ can be found, and that is the law of Christ.  Since we all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), salvation is possible only when under a law that makes provision for sins, and the gospel of Christ is the only law that does so.  It is superior not only to the old covenant, but to all law in general.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.