But now He (Jesus) has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He (Jesus) is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Hebrews 8:6 

We continue looking at the superiority of the new covenant over the old. Today’s passage gives us three reasons why the new covenant that God has made with mankind is far superior to the one that he had made with Israel.

First, Jesus has “obtained a more excellent ministry.” The word “obtained” means that Jesus has “hit the mark.” Just as an expert marksman has the ability to hit a target at an incredible distance, Jesus has accomplished what we could never do in a lifetime of trying. Just as scripture reminds us that we have all fallen short (missed the mark), Jesus has accomplished this for us.

He has obtained a more excellent ministry. “Excellent” means that this covenant surpasses the old. Like a superior runner passes all of the competition on a racetrack, Jesus has surpassed the old covenant by establishing a far superior one. And this covenant will hold true until the day when Jesus returns again. It is those who are of faith in Christ who will reap spiritual rewards on that day.

Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry. To minister to someone is to bring them something that they desperately need and cannot provide for themselves. Food for the hungry, water for the thirsty, and shelter for the homeless are all examples of how mankind can minister to each other. But the ministry mentioned here is God providing us something that we desperately need and cannot provide for ourselves. This is why it is an egregious offense to the cross when we attempt to assist in our own salvation through our works. Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry for us!

Secondly, Jesus is the Mediator of a better covenant. The word “better” means that this covenant is more useful. The new covenant is more useful to us because we come to God through Jesus Christ, the Mediator between God and mankind. Without this meditation, we would not be able to approach God nor have the right to access Him. But Jesus has become the Mediator of a better covenant and because of this reality we can approach God with boldness and confidence. Consider the following:

And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

                                                                                                                     1 John 2:1b-2 

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

                                                                                                               Hebrews 4:15-16 

Because of the new covenant, believers can approach God with confidence because our adequacy to do so does not come from us rather it comes from God (2 Corinthians 3:4-6). Jesus is the Mediator of a better covenant!

Finally, Jesus has established this better covenant on better promises. Again, the word “better” means that this covenant is more serviceable (to mankind) and more advantageous (to mankind). Why? Because its foundation is not on the promises we make to God rather it is based on His promise to us.

Have you ever made a promise to someone, perhaps God Himself, and failed to keep the promise that you made? I think we have all had times when we have failed to live up to something that we have promised. But with God, we never have to worry that He will not live up to His promises because He is always, perfectly, true to His word.

When scripture tells us, “If we confess Jesus in front of mankind that He will also confess us before God (Matthew 10:32), we can take that to the bank. When the Bible tells us, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13), we can place our full trust in that truth as well. Jesus has indeed obtained a more excellent ministry for us. He is the Mediator of this superior covenant and this covenant is founded on better promises, God’s promise of salvation to all who will simply believe!

Are you living according to the surpassing greatness, superiority, and advantage of the new covenant of Jesus Christ? He truly is all that you need!