⁶ But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. ⁷ For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.

There is a French saying, “Par Excellence,” which means, “best of its class, truest of its type or kind.” (that last part of the word is pronounced “-ahnss”). The book of Hebrews presents Jesus in this way, He is the Priest, par excellence. He is exalted higher than anything and everything else. Comparisons become poignant when involving the loftiest of things. The Law, the ministry of the Levitical priesthood and everything associated with it were held in absolutely high regard, treated as holy. These things ruled the life, nation and religion of the Jews. Christ is greater and better than all that!

Here we see that Christ’s service as a “minister” is “more excellent,” just like His name is more excellent than that of the angels (1:4). The word connotes perfection with quality. His ministry is outstandingly good. While the ministry of the earthly priests was excellent, His was “more” excellent. While the priests were mediators of a good covenant (they stood between God and man in offering the sacrifices), Christ was a mediator of a better covenant.

How was this a better ministry? William MacDonald points out: 1) Christ offered Himself, not an animal. 2) He offered His own blood, not that of animals. 3) He put away sins, not merely covered them. 4) He gave believers a perfect conscience, not an annual reminder of sin.

The “better covenant” was built on “better promises.” MacDonald goes on to point out that the Law promised blessings for obedience, but threatened death for disobedience. The new covenant was unconditionally based on grace. It imputes righteousness where there is none. With the first covenant we could not attain perfection; it did not bring righteousness. It was never intended to do so, but was meant to be preparatory to the new covenant. If the first covenant had been able to accomplish what was needed, then there would have been no need for a second covenant.

Christ, as our passage points out, is also the Mediator between us and God (see 1 Tim 2:5). He currently stands between us and God, the perfect One. His temptations proved that He was like us, so was qualified to represent us. But His lack of sin qualified Him under the old covenant (7:26-27) for being our mediator in the new covenant.

Lord, thank You that because Jesus is the perfect high priest of a more excellent covenant, I have been completely forgiven and I rest in that!