Hopes. They can vary in degree and intensity. We might hope to purchase a new home, car, pair of shoes or cup of coffee. Maybe our hopes are in getting married or becoming a parent or grandparent. We can have hope of advancement and finding favour in the workplace. We can have hopes about learning new things, gaining knowledge, achieving greatness. We might also hope to become more disciplined at exercise, diet, or refraining from gossip. Maybe our hope is to travel, or to finally find time to stay home. Hopes can be realistic or unrealistic. They can encourage and frustrate. A worldly hope is like my grandson's "maybe" as we sit watching and waiting to see if the Zamboni will drive out and clear the ice. We hope it will, but we just don't know.
What is hope? The world views hope as an expectation of something that might happen. It is a feeling of wishfulness and desire that may or may not result in fulfillment. Skeptics often view hope as an aloof illusion that leaves us empty when unsatisfied. Often it is held with caution for fear of placing our hopes too high and then being disappointed when the anticipated outcome does not materialize.
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that as believers we have confidence in a better hope. This hope is an absolute certainty and will result in obtaining the desired outcome. The word "better" implies a comparison, so what is this hope better than, and how is it different?
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that as believers we have confidence in a better hope. This hope is an absolute certainty and will result in obtaining the desired outcome. The word "better" implies a comparison, so what is this hope better than, and how is it different?
The Old Covenant had offered hope, but it was partial and could only go so far. With Jesus as our hope in the New Covenant, He is perfect. The New Testament hope is rooted in the priesthood of Christ. The previous Levitical priests, although ministering in obedience to God's law, were limited in their role. The Son of God came, "With His own blood - not the blood of goats and calves - He entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever." (Hebrews 9:12) It is through the blood of Jesus that this hope became better. Christ is the provider and pathway to better.
Blood is something we hesitate to talk about. Just reading the word can make some squeamish. We do not naturally associate blood with purification, but Hebrews 9 explains, "even the first covenant was put into effect with the blood of an animal". After Moses sprinkled the book of God's law and all the people with the blood of goats and calves he said, "This blood confirms the covenant God has made with you." Scripture goes on to tell us, "In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness." (See Hebrews 9:18-22)
Because of the blood of Jesus we have both purification and confirmation of this better hope. No longer does a Levitical priest have to intercede with sacrifices repeatedly on our behalf, but with this better hope we have a permanent High Priest who saves to the uttermost those who come to Him and He intercedes to His Father continually on behalf of those who draw near. (Hebrews 7:25) Without this intercession of Christ, we would have no hope. Without drawing near we have no intercession.
A better hope is not just a possibility, it is the fulfillment of a promise, and His name is Jesus.
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