October 8 | Hebrews 8:6; Galatians 3:19-26

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DAILY READING

Hebrews 8:6

Galatians 3:19-26

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REFLECTION

New and Improved

By Beth Voltmann

I cherish long-standing family recipes passed down through generations, and I’m a stickler for following the instructions precisely. The familiar flavors are so satisfying. There’s such dependability in a home-cooked dish of legacy! It just tastes good.

On the other hand, a family member dear to my heart (who shall remain unnamed) has often taken his first bite of such a meal and declared, “This is good, but do you know what would make it better?” When I raise an eyebrow and stare at him, he adds, “Trust me - have a little faith.”

In our first passage today, the writer boldly declared to his Jewish readers that the old was good, but the new is better.

“But in fact, the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is the mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.” (Heb. 8:6)

How did the Hebrews receive this news? Most likely they reacted in the same way that I have taken to suggestions for improving my favorite family recipes. Can’t you picture their stony faces and raised eyebrows? These people were familiar with the old covenant and had grown familiar with trying to follow the law. Who would dare suggest such that there might be a better way? Had God approved this? Wasn’t he the one who had given the people the law in the first place?

Indeed, he had, but it had been given to be a place holder of sorts - meant to reveal to the people how impossible it was to perfectly adhere to it – impossible to achieve righteousness through individual efforts. Only the Seed of the promise, Jesus Christ, could perfectly fulfill God’s perfect plan.

“The law, was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith...So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.”  (Gal. 3:24, 26)

Jesus fulfilled the “Law and the Prophets”. (Matt. 5:17) He suffered in our place, died, and rose again so that we could follow the better way. According to God’s perfect promise, he sprinkled his mercy and grace upon the old covenant and presented the new and improved covenant which had been prophesied from the beginning.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves,

 it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9)

Are you still trying to earn your salvation by following God’s perfect law? The sprinkled blood of Christ Jesus is better. Trust me - have a little faith!

PRAYER

Father God, the gift of your son, Jesus, is better than anything else this world has to offer. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Please forgive me when I stubbornly cling to the idea that I can impress you with my own righteousness. Instead, I choose Jesus!

Give me Jesus,

Give me Jesus,

You can have all this world,

But give me Jesus.

(From “Give Me Jesus”, Fernando Ortega)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BETH VOLTMANN

After moving to Ohio in 1997 with my husband and four children, I developed a hunger for God’s Word through adult teaching and women’s Bible study at UALC. My passion is to help others understand Scripture so that they may grow in their desire for more of God and experience the new life offered to us through Christ Jesus.