How does Hebrews 7:19 highlight the superiority of Jesus over the old law? The passage in view “For the law made nothing perfect, and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.” (Hebrews 7:19) Setting the scene: Why Hebrews 7 matters - Hebrews compares the temporary Levitical priesthood to the eternal priesthood of Christ “in the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 7:17). - The writer is speaking to people steeped in the Mosaic system, showing that every aspect of the old law was a shadow pointing forward to Jesus (Colossians 2:17). - Verse 19 lands like a verdict: the law cannot perfect; Jesus can. What the old law could—and could not—do - Exposed sin but could not erase it (Romans 3:20). - Required continual sacrifices that “can never take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4). - Restricted access: only the high priest, only once a year, only behind a veil (Leviticus 16). - Could teach holiness yet could not impart a new heart (Galatians 3:23-24). Phrase by phrase: Hebrews 7:19 • “the law made nothing perfect” - Perfect (Greek teleioō) means complete, brought to the goal. - The best the law could do was diagnose the problem; it never provided the cure. • “a better hope is introduced” - Hope is better because it rests on a perfect High Priest who lives forever (Hebrews 7:24). - It replaces continual sacrifice with one finished offering (Hebrews 10:12). • “by which we draw near to God” - Access granted, not restricted (Hebrews 4:16; 10:19-22). - Nearness is personal: “He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him” (Hebrews 7:25). Jesus, the superior solution - An eternal priesthood: “because He remains forever, He has a permanent priesthood” (Hebrews 7:24). - A once-for-all sacrifice: “He sacrificed for sins once for all when He offered Himself” (Hebrews 7:27). - A flawless mediator: “holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners” (Hebrews 7:26). - Fulfills the promise of Jeremiah 31:33—He writes the law on our hearts, achieving the perfection the old covenant could never reach. Connecting threads across Scripture - John 14:6 — Jesus is the only way to the Father; the old way prepared us to see that. - Acts 13:38-39 — “Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.” - 2 Corinthians 3:7-11 — the ministry of the Spirit surpasses the ministry engraved in stone. Living in the light of the better hope - Rest from striving: perfection is a gift in Christ, not a goal we achieve. - Bold access: prayer and worship are entered freely, not fearfully. - Ongoing sanctification: the One who perfected our standing continues perfecting our walk (Hebrews 10:14). - Unshakeable assurance: the law’s shadows have given way to the substance—Jesus, our unfailing High Priest. |
    |