Hebrews 7:18-22: a reflection

18For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and uselessness 19(for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20Inasmuch as he was not made priest without the taking of an oath 21(for they indeed have been made priests without an oath), but he with an oath by him that says of him, “The Lord swore and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’” 22By so much, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

The writer to the Hebrews explains that the old law, with its priesthood, could not make anything perfect or bring people fully near to God; but through Christ, a better hope has come. The law made nothing perfect, he says; but there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. And this better hope rests on Christ, who has become a priest forever by God's own oath, and so has become the guarantee of a better covenant. Where the old covenant could not finally bring people near or make them perfect, Christ, our eternal priest, is the guarantor of a better covenant, through which we truly draw near to God. He himself stands as the guarantee that this better covenant will hold, that we can draw near to God through him. Christ is the guarantor of a better covenant, through whom we draw near to God, where the old law could not bring us. Through Christ, the guarantee of a better covenant, we draw near to God. Our drawing near rests on Christ, who guarantees the covenant.

Notice what Christ is called here: the guarantee of a better covenant. The old law and priesthood could not make anything perfect or finally bring people near to God; they pointed forward but could not accomplish. But Christ, made a priest forever by God's own oath, is the guarantor of a better covenant, one through which we truly draw near to God. A guarantee is one who stands surety, who ensures that what is promised will hold; and Christ himself is the guarantee that this better covenant is sure, that through him we can and do draw near to God. Our access to God rests not on the old law, which could not bring us near, nor on our own keeping, but on Christ, who guarantees the covenant by his own eternal priesthood. This is a firm ground for our drawing near: not our worthiness, but Christ standing as guarantor. Because Christ guarantees the better covenant, our drawing near to God is sure. The old law could not bring us near; Christ, our guarantor, does. Our confidence to draw near rests on Christ, the guarantee of the covenant.

That is worth resting in, for Christ is the guarantor of a better covenant, through whom we draw near to God with confidence. We can feel our access to God is uncertain, resting on our own keeping or worthiness, which fail; but the old law could not bring us near, and our drawing near rests instead on Christ, the guarantee of a better covenant. Christ himself stands surety that we can draw near to God through him. Our confidence rests not on ourselves but on Christ, who guarantees the covenant. When you doubt your access to God, remember that Christ is the guarantor of a better covenant, through whom you draw near. Rest in Christ, the guarantor of a better covenant, through whom we draw near to God, where the old law could not bring us, as the writer to the Hebrews says the law made nothing perfect but a better hope has been brought in through which we draw near to God, and Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant; for our access to God rests not on the old law or on our own keeping, which cannot bring us near, but on Christ, who by his own eternal priesthood stands as the guarantee that this better covenant is sure, so that our drawing near to God is grounded not on our worthiness but on Christ our guarantor, and we can come near with confidence.

Lord, the writer to the Hebrews explains that the old law, with its priesthood, could not make anything perfect or bring people fully near to you; but through Christ, a better hope has come. The law made nothing perfect, he says; but there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. And this better hope rests on Christ, who has become a priest forever by your own oath, and so has become the guarantee of a better covenant. Where the old covenant could not finally bring people near, Christ, our eternal priest, is the guarantor of a better covenant, through which we truly draw near to you. Show me what Christ is called here: the guarantee of a better covenant. The old law and priesthood could not make anything perfect or finally bring people near to you. But Christ, made a priest forever by your own oath, is the guarantor of a better covenant. A guarantee is one who stands surety, who ensures that what is promised will hold; and Christ himself is the guarantee that this better covenant is sure, that through him we can and do draw near to you. Our access to you rests not on the old law, nor on our own keeping, but on Christ, who guarantees the covenant by his own eternal priesthood. Let me rest in that, for Christ is the guarantor of a better covenant, through whom I draw near to you with confidence. I can feel my access to you is uncertain, resting on my own keeping or worthiness, which fail; but the old law could not bring me near, and my drawing near rests instead on Christ, the guarantee of a better covenant. When I doubt my access to you, help me remember that Christ is the guarantor of a better covenant, Lord, through whom I draw near, so that my confidence rests not on my worthiness but on Christ my guarantor, and I can come near to you with confidence.