The Imperfection of the Old Covenant Couldn’t Redeem Mankind

Hebrews 7:22-28

The law or old covenant (testament) was never intended to redeem mankind. It was to awaken man’s conscious to sin and “bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” After faith came, we were liberated from the law (Galatians 3:24-25).  How blessed we are to be living under the new covenant of which Jesus has been appointed by God as the superior priest! This covenant is better than the old because “Jesus has become the certain guarantee of a better covenant that will never be replaced or annulled” (v.22, AMP).  Unlike all the many priests before Jesus, he will never die, and his priesthood will never change. It is promised that as our everlasting high priest and intercessor he is able to completely save all those who come to God through Him.  Only Jesus is fit for such a High Priest for us. He is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and is exalted higher than the heavens (vv. 23-26).

Jesus does not need daily to offer up sacrifices as those priests before him. He did it once for all when He willingly offered up Himself as a sacrifice. Those priests offered animal sacrifices, first for their own sins, and then for the people’s. On the other hand, Jesus was sinless; therefore, he only is God’s perfect one-time sacrifice for the people’s sins (v.27). So through Christ Jesus we are commanded to offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name (13:15). To offer the sacrifice of praise of our lips is pleasing to God. Under the law, men appointed as high priests are weak, sinful, and dying. However, the word of the word of oath came after the law, and permanently appointed the Son high priest (v.28).

The imperfection of the old covenant couldn’t redeem mankind so Jesus had to die. He was the perfect sacrifice and willingly paid the ultimate price of death for our redemption. If you have not already, will you accept God’s free gift of salvation today? How perfect it is!