“For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant…”

                 OK, I must confess: laziness had a lot to do with it.  Do with what?  My career choice.  You see, when I was young and thinking about what I wanted to “be” when I grew up, I thought that if science and technology kept making new discoveries and improving things, I would be in a losing battle of always trying to stay current.  I would have nightmares of missing the latest innovation or the newest find or the hottest application of whatever.  This was a pretty perceptive observation for that time.  That’s because I went to school when my biology textbook said, “The human cell is the simplest living organism on the planet.”  So the evolutionists would have had us believe.  They now know better, much better.  The average human cell is more complex than all of the combined infrastructure networks and systems that keep New York City running!  Thus have research and discovery aided us in the learning process.

But I had enough foresight to know this was the way it would be, even back then.  Not bad for a guy struggling to stay above a ‘C’ average on his report card.  And I simply didn’t want to have my nose in a book or the latest magazine all the time trying to keep my job or get ahead of the other guy.  So at the ripe old age of 27 I decided to seek employment in what is called the graveyard of professional vocations: teaching.  “If you can’t succeed in anything, then be a teacher,” the old saying goes.  Sounded good to me.

I only mention this because when we examine the idea of Christ being the mediator of the new covenant, we immediately are drawn to the fact that there was an old covenant at first.  Hebrews 8:6 says so: “But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.”  This verse says a number of things.  First, there are two covenants in view.  Second, both covenants had a (priesthood) ministry.  Third, the new covenant is “superior” to the old.  Fourth, Jesus’ ministry is superior to its counterpart.  And fifth, the new covenant is based on better promises.  That’s quite a contrast for only one verse.

The second time we see this designation for Jesus is in 9:15 – “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance — now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”  These two covenants don’t get too far apart from each other, do they?  The primary thought here is the function of a mediator.  Sure, he acts as a go-between to mediate or settle differences between two parties, in this case God and humanity.  But Jesus does more than just that.  He himself is the ransom, the price that was paid, to set people free from their sins.  In this sense he is both the guarantor and the guarantee of eternal life.  When pagans say things like, “I’m a pretty good person,” or “I can work my way to heaven,” or “I can keep God’s commandments… um, how many did you say there were?” they are showing not only their ignorance, but also their self-deception.  It is pure folly to maintain such a position.

The last time we see this description of Jesus in Hebrews is in 12:24.  It captures this idea of our guaranteed eternal inheritance.  But again, the contrast between old and new is unmistakable.  In vs. 18-21, the picture is painted of dealing with the fury of God on sinners:  “a mountain…burning with fire… darkness, gloom and storm…they could not bear what was commanded…the sight was so terrifying that Moses said, ‘I am trembling with fear.’”  Not your warm, loving, embracing God you feel like snuggling up to, is it?

But the scene shifts dramatically in the verses that follow:  “[Y]ou have come to…the city of the living God…to thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven…to God, the judge of all men…to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant…”  No fear, no trembling.  Just the opposite in fact.  Our names are written – literally registered or enrolled – in heaven.  When you reserve a hotel room in advance, you go with legitimate confidence and expectation.  After all, that’s your room!  Well, heaven is no mere hotel room!  It is beyond any description in any language on earth, better than your wildest sanctified imagination.  Your reservation is in!

This is the work done by your mediator.  Can others see your expectation shining through?