The Better Hope, Part 2

The “rituals” found in the Old Testament reveal the character of God. Cleansing, atonement, life purified by sacrifice are all used in the old covenant to tell us about God. These activities in and of themselves do not save and offer hope, they offer insight to the God who gives hope. The power of God to make change in the believer's life manifests itself in unchangeableness of his life. Hope lies in the pure, eternal, unchanging, everlasting, principles of holiness. Principles that build hope were revealed in the Old Testament through figures like Melchizedek—a “different priest”—he was not from the lineage of the Old Testament priests—he was a priest “based on the power of an indestructible life” (Heb. 7:16 CSB).

The author of Hebrews tells us those rituals did not fully achieve the relationship with God that is needed and therefor the system needed to be changed.

Hebrews 7:18–19 (CSB)

18 So the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable 19 (for the law perfected nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

The author of Hebrews informs of the old covenant annulment. It was weak in fulfillment of purpose—it proved ineffective in fully confronting sin and installing faith. Here the word “annulled” (CSB) [ἀθέτησις] is used to convey rejection, invalidation, repeal, abolish, abrogate, or simply “set aside.” Nothing about the old system was “transitioned into,” or renewed in the new covenant—the old was eradicated.

 The new—Jesus Christ—was introduced for a “better hope” [κρείττονος ἐλπίδος]; the word “better” is “more than a comparison.” The old system was symbolic and psychological (moral actions), the new system (a relationship with God) is a system that provided direct access to God. God acted (grace) by providing Jesus Christ, not human action in morality. Christ replaced the rituals—his death and resurrection made the human actions obsolete. All you need to do now is read your Bible, know that Christ has come, and believe the message.

 Our Principle 7: Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will. Celebrate Recovery is part of Ministries of Jesus—meeting in the Activities Center every Monday night at Henderson Hills Baptist Church.