“This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.” (Hebrews 7:22, ESV)
What is my guarantee? Often in life, we will ask this question. I knew a person who purchased a mattress that had a moneyback guarantee if for any reason they were dissatisfied with it. They were dissatisfied and when they attempted to get their money back, they discovered that there was some fine print. In order to get their money back they needed to give the mattress to a charitable organization or someone who needed it. However, this was a catch. No one would take used mattresses. You see, the guarantee is no better than the guarantor.
Jesus is the guarantor of a better covenant. He is the perfect guarantor as we see in this passage. First, as already discussed, the Lord God appointed Jesus to the position of the eternal high priest with an oath. The Levitical priests were not appointed to be priests forever by an oath.
Secondly, as high priest, Jesus lives forever to serve in this position permanently. The Levitical priests were numerous because they would all die. They could only hold their office temporarily.
Thirdly, Jesus is infinitely holy, perfect, and unstained by sin. All the high priests of the Aaronic order had a sinful nature and from that nature did sin. They would have to present sacrifices for their own sin before offering for those of the people. Jesus lived a sinless life on this earth.
Fourth, Jesus was exalted above the heavens. No priests after the order of Aaron are seated at the right hand of Majesty. Unlike those priests, death could not hold Jesus. After He presented himself as the spotless lamb of God sacrificed for sin, God raised Him up. He ascended to be seated at the right hand of God. There, He constantly intercedes for those who truly believe.
Thus, Jesus is the perfect high priest and guarantor of a better covenant. Yet, there is one more added qualifier that gives us the supreme guarantee of this better covenant. We have discussed before that Jesus is the eternal-priest-king after the order of Melchizedek. Moreover, Jesus is the second person of the Trinity, God the Son. He who was appointed by God’s solemn oath is Jesus our divine priest king forever. He exemplifies the infinitely highest credentials possible as a guarantor of our salvation.
Renewing the Heart 