Better

The Book of Hebrews is our Sunday School lesson. There are so many wonderful verses in this book. It’s just ‘better.’

We’re told that Jesus is better than angels – and the reasons for knowing this are given in following verses.

Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. (Hebrews 1:4 KJV)

The writer thinks of his audience as being better, too.

But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. (Hebrews 6:9 KJV)

He tells how Melchisedec was better than Abraham.

And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. (Hebrews 7:7 KJV)

He tells us that God gave us something better than the law.

For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. (Hebrews 7:19 KJV)

Jesus brings us better, too.

By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. (Hebrews 7:22 KJV)

Through Jesus’ ministry we have a better covenant.

But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. (Hebrews 8:6 KJV)

Better is necessary.

It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. (Hebrews 9:23 KJV)

Heaven holds better for us.

For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. (Hebrews 10:34 KJV)

Heaven is better because God prepared it for us.

But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:16 KJV)

Resurrection is better.

Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: (Hebrews 11:35 KJV)

God provided a better way.

God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:40 KJV)

Our mediator speaks of better things than we had before.

And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:24 KJV)

What does the author offer as proof?

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2 KJV)