The Better Hope: Hebrews 7 & 9

A sermon manuscript from a lesson I taught in the Penitentiary in Boley, OK on Good Friday. I also used sections of this manuscript for a lesson in the annual “He is Risen” meeting our Recovery Ministry hosts each Easter season. 2025 continues to be a rich study in the book of Hebrews, you can find my ministry blog–Hebrews chapter by chapter in 2025–at edmondcr.com

He is Risen, Boley, OK (with some helpful application to “moralism” in He is Risen)

“The Better Hope” Hebrews 7 and 9.

April 18 and 21, 2025

Main Point: Scripture reveals who God is; moralism cannot save us.

Hebrews 7:19 – “…a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.”
Romans 5:3–4 – Tribulation produces perseverance; perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope. Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

ἐλπίς (elpis) = joyful, confident expectation of that which is good and beneficial
(see Luke 24:21; 1 Tim. 4:10; Acts 23:6; Rom. 15:4)

Core Premise

1. Hope rooted in Christ stands in stark contrast to hope rooted in our own good works (moralism). Only a relationship with our Creator through faith in Christ’s cross and resurrection heals us and draws us near to God. Morality and good works alone cannot produce the saving kind of relationship we need.
2. If we are going to rely on the power of God for our recovery (Celebrate Recovery Principle 2), we must focus on His works, not ours. My own efforts got me into trouble; only His works can get me out.
3. Moralism—my “good works”—cannot help me or save me.

My Story
Some of us grew up in hopeless environments; others in hope-filled ones. My own upbringing was hope-filled—supportive parents, coaches who believed in me, success as a high-level alpine ski racer. Yet when the athletic career ended, I tried to run my life without advocates and without God. That’s when a dysfunctional lifestyle took over. I needed an Advocate more than ever, but all I had was myself. Everything fell apart until, in the place and time I needed it most, I finally met the true source of hope—Christ the Lord.

What Is Hope?
Hope is generated when we know we have an advocate—someone (or Someone) who sees us, loves us, and is fighting for our good. It might be a parent, a sibling, a sponsor, or a pastor who can look past our failures and still see our heart. Ultimately, real and lasting hope comes from resting in eternal principles—specifically, the eternal goodness of God displayed on Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.

Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:1–10; Genesis 14:17–20)

• Name means “king of righteousness”
• King of Salem (“peace”)
• Priest not by genealogy (unlike the Levitical priests descended from Aaron)
• No recorded beginning or end—therefore a priest forever (Heb. 7:3)

The Old Testament Tabernacle and Rituals
The Tabernacle (a large wall tent) had an outer court and an inner sanctuary. The inner sanctuary held the lampstand (light of Christ) and the table of showbread (the table where the “bread of the presence” was located). There was a curtain that divided the inner sanctuary from the Holy of Holies, or “Most Holy Place.” The Most Holy Place contained the gold altar of incense and the Ark of the Covenant, which was covered in gold and contained a jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the Covenant. The lid of the Ark was the “mercy seat,” and above the mercy seat were the cherubim (winged creatures) of glory. The mercy seat represented grace, mercy, and forgiveness of sins. With all this in place, the High Priest entered the Most Holy Place one time per year, always with blood from the atonement offering (the animal sacrificed for the sins of the people). The blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat in the Most Holy Place.

Key truths the rituals taught:

1. God is holy and separate from His creation.
2. Direct access to Him is restricted.
3. Atonement (“at-one-ment”) requires active works and the shedding of blood.

The “rituals” of cleansing and atonement outlined in the Sinai covenant tell us about God. These rituals show us His interest in making us holy, setting us apart, cleansing us, sanctifying us, healing us, and giving us purpose—but not at all concerning Himself with making life easy or comfortable. However, the author of Hebrews tells us those rituals did not fully achieve the relationship with God that is needed; therefore, the system needed to be changed.

Hebrews 7:18–19 (CSB)
“So the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable (for the law perfected nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.”

ἀθέτησις (athetēsis): Translated as “annulled” (CSB). It means to reject, to regard as invalid, to repeal, or to abrogate. The Old Covenant was annulled because it failed in its purpose—it proved ineffective at bringing people near to God in true worship. The point here is that this is a much stronger word than “changed” or “recycled.” Nothing from the Old Covenant was merely “transitioned” or “renewed” into the New Covenant; rather, the old system was set aside completely. While the old sacrifices were of animals, the new was ushered in through the person of Jesus Christ.

κρείττονος ἐλπίδος (kreittonos elpidos): Translated as “better hope.” In this context, the word “better” is more than a simple comparison; it denotes a superior reality. While the old system was symbolic and focused on external moral actions, the new system provides direct access to God. It is based on God’s action (grace) rather than human effort.

Christ replaced the rituals—His death and resurrection made those human actions obsolete. Now, the invitation is to recognize that Christ has come, as revealed in Scripture, and to believe the message.

Hebrews 7:20–22 (CSB)

²⁰ None of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, ²¹ but he became a priest with an oath made by the one who said to him: The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind,“ You are a priest forever.”^{, 22} Because of this oath, Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.

v. 20: In the Old Covenant (Levitical system), a priest was appointed based on lineage (being a descendant of Aaron). No divine oath was required for their installation; it was a matter of genealogy.

v. 21: An oath is traditionally performed by “swearing by a higher divine being.” Here, the Father (the Lord) has sworn by Himself. Two things are established:

• God “will not change his mind” (the decree is immutable).
• Christ is “a priest forever” according to the order of Melchizedek.

v. 22: This oath serves as the legal and divine validation of the New Covenant. Because of this, Jesus is the guarantee (surety) of a “better” (superior) covenant.

The chapter closes by affirming Christ as the Perfect High Priest. His superiority is defined by four key factors: Authority–He was appointed by a divine oath rather than mere human lineage. Atonement–His death dealt with sin “once for all,” unlike the repeating animal sacrifices. Purity–He is holy, blameless, and separate from sinners (creatures). Permanence–He lives forever to make intercession.

Hebrews 9:9–14 (CSB)

⁹ This is a symbol for the present time, during which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the worshiper’s conscience. ¹⁰ They are physical regulations and only deal with food, drink, and various washings imposed until the time of the new order.

NEW COVENANT MINISTRY

¹¹ But Christ has appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation), ¹² he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. ¹³ For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?

v. 11: Christ becomes the fulfillment and replacement of the earthly Tabernacle. He is the “greater and more perfect tent,” transcending the place where animals were sacrificed and blood was sprinkled on the altar near the Ark and the Mercy Seat for atonement.

v. 12: The blood Christ shed offers an eternal atonement to the believer. His “tabernacle” is not man-made, but is heaven itself in the presence of the Father. Redemption is secured eternally through faith in His work, not our own.

v. 13: The blood of goats and bulls addressed only the “sanctification of the flesh” (external/ceremonial purity).

v. 14: It is the blood of Christ that cleanses the conscience and atones for the believer, enabling “holy service” (worship) to the living God.

v. 15: Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant. (Note: The “covenant” is the legal and spiritual framework of the relationship). Christ is the mediator because of the divine oath mentioned in Heb. 7:22: “Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.”

Our moral acts do not save us; we see this clearly in the text of Hebrews. The components of the “earthly sanctuary”—the table, the curtain, the lampstand, etc.—are addressed in v. 9. These items, along with the rituals performed within the Tabernacle, are symbols that reveal God’s character.

They tell us that He desires a holy nation and intends to heal His creation. However, while gifts and sacrifices were offered and rituals were performed, they could not perfect the worshiper’s conscience. They served as symbols, but in terms of removing the actual debt of sin, the actions were limited and ineffective.

There is a necessity in the blood. In the Old Covenant, the blood of animals was the symbol of life. In the New Covenant, the blood of Christ is the reality that secures the believer’s eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:20 (CSB)

²⁰ saying, This is the blood of the covenant that God has ordained for you.^,

Exodus 24:8 (CSB)

⁸ Moses took the blood, splattered it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you concerning all these words.”

Matthew 26:28 (CSB)

²⁸ For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

According to the law, almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. (Blood represents life; the shedding of blood equals the giving of a life to pay a debt.)

Hebrews 9:24 (CSB)

²⁴ For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with hands (only a model of the true one) but into heaven itself, so that he might now appear in the presence of God for us.

The author of Hebrews goes on to say (v. 26) that Christ appeared once at the “end of the ages” to sacrifice Himself for the removal of sin. He went to the Cross to inaugurate a New Covenant by His blood—a direct path to a relationship with God.

Hope vs. Despair Hope comes from reliance on eternal truth. Despair comes from relying on material objects that are fading and dying. It also comes when we rely on our own moral actions or good works for salvation. When we understand that our “moralism” is bankrupt—that simply living life a certain way does not bring contentment—and we rely instead on the power of God, we are on the road to recovery and freedom from hurts, hang-ups, and habits.

When we rely on material comfort and affirmation, the only result is a need to return for more when it runs out. This leads to frustration, addiction, and disrupted relationships. Because God is eternal, He is stable and unchanging. Reliance on Him is hope-filled.

A “Better Hope” [Heb. 7:11–28] The New Covenant through Christ is a “better hope” because:

1. The Divine Oath: The Son was appointed by an oath from God, not human lineage.
2. The Eternal Nature: The Son is eternal—a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
3. The Perfect Character: The Son is holy—separated from sinners, undefiled, exalted, and holding a permanent priesthood.

Jesus confronted death and sin in Himself as our High Priest and gave us life through His resurrection. Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday teach us that God is interested in a relationship that is eternal—one that extends deeper than the flesh; it is spiritual. He prepared us through HIS work at the Cross and gave us life in the resurrection. This reveals exactly who our God is.

Three Steps to a “Better Hope” (Heb. 7:19):

1. Acknowledge God’s existence.
2. Understand God’s character.
3. Accept God’s offer to help.