Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises
I have a friend who has on a couple of occasions taken me to a replica of the Old Testament Tabernacle. This life-size replica of the Tabernacle is found in a cemetery memorial park in Michigan. My son just recently drove through Salt Lake City, Utah and drove by the Mormon Temple, and sometimes we speak of modern-day priests to whom we can make some kind of confession. Yet, do you realize that even the Tabernacle that later became the Temple, Solomon’s Temple for instance, is inferior to Jesus, God’s Son? Nothing else can do what Jesus can do. The Tabernacle is an example, shadow, or pattern of the real thing.
Hebrews 7:19 says, “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.” There is a better way, a better hope. Verses 22-25 speak of the fact that there were many priests who were not allowed to continue their ministry by reason of death, which just means they didn’t live forever so they obviously stopped when their hearts stopped.
Verse 24 gives us the contrast, “But this man [Jesus], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Jesus Christ never dies or changes, yet verse 26 tells us that although He is not like us, He became like us. Verse 27 tells us that He does not need to make a daily sacrifice, certainly not for Himself because He had no sin, nor for others because “this He did once, when he offered up himself.” Verse 28 says He lives forever.
The sum and substance of all this is found in Hebrews 8:1, “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.” So, the sum and substance of all this is that Jesus is God’s ultimate way of peace with God. Jesus is our mediator. Verse 6 says it this way, “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator [go-between or peacemaker] of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”
So, He has a more excellent ministry, a better covenant, and better promises. Because Jesus is the peacemaker, no priest, tabernacle, or temple is needed for us to come to God. Jesus is the mediator between a holy God and sinful man. It is not as if Mary, the blessed virgin, is the mediator between us and Jesus. No, she is a sinner just as I am. Now, she is someone I would hold in high regard, but she is a person. It is not Mary as the mediator between us and Jesus, it is Jesus who is the mediator between us and God. He is the peacemaker.
The point is don’t let anyone else come between you and God. Obviously, sin could come between you and God, but if you are not careful, there are a lot of good things that can come between you and God. Don’t let anyone come between you and God other than Jesus.
Consider confession. I John says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves…if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Hebrews 2:18 says, “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” So, Jesus was tempted with sin, yet He did no sin. No matter who else may be affected by my sin, my sin is ultimately always against God. If there is sin that needs to be confessed, there is no mediator between me and God other than Jesus. I can come to God in Jesus’ name to confess and forsake my sins, have cleansing, peace, and forgiveness from God through Jesus alone.
Think about peace. I have a friend who says that when you pray with others, you draw closer to others, but when you pray by yourself you tend to draw closer to God. I think both are important. Recently my church had a week of revival meetings and some of us met each night before the services for prayer. It was a blessed time and I believe I drew closer to people there and to the Lord as I asked Him for help. However, when it comes to prayer, there is only one mediator between me and a perfect God, and that is Jesus.
Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace.” I think among other things that certainly means prayer. It continues, “That we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” There is no one who need stand between me and God other than Jesus, Who is the peacemaker to bring me to God.
Then, there is praise. In Hebrews 1:1 we are reminded of the excellency of Jesus Christ Who is better than the angels and the prophets; He is God the Son. Paul once spoke to a church and said that he did not wish to have dominion over their faith, but wished to be a helper of their joy. There are a lot of people I should respect and honor and who have been a help to me, but ultimately there is but one person who deserves the praise; that is Jesus.
You see, there is no tabernacle that can bring me to God. There is no priest who can be a mediator between me and God. Solomon’s Temple itself could not ultimately bring people to God. Jesus is the sum and substance of everything that God has done in the world. Jesus is our mediator. He intervenes and is our peacemaker. So, don’t let anyone come between you and God other than Jesus because Jesus is enough.