The Greatest of All Time: Why Jesus Still Reigns Supreme
Pastor Reed Sowell
The phrase “Greatest of All Time” gets tossed around a lot these days. Whether we’re debating basketball players, musicians, or world leaders, everyone has an opinion. But when it comes to eternity, there’s no debate. Jesus stands alone as the true and eternal GOAT—the Greatest of All Time.
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His greatness isn’t measured by trophies, records, or fame. It’s defined by His sacrifice, His love, and His power to save. From the book of Hebrews, we see that Jesus is greater than prophets, angels, Moses, and every priest before Him. He is the perfect Son of God and the only One who gives us direct access to the Father.
A Better Covenant Built on Better Promises
Hebrews 8:1–7 reminds us of an extraordinary truth:
“We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven… the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.” (NIV)
The old covenant required priests, rituals, and sacrifices. It pointed toward something greater—something complete. Jesus didn’t come to abolish that system but to fulfill it. He became the final High Priest, serving not in a man-made tabernacle but in the true heavenly sanctuary.
Under the old law, the people could only approach God through ceremony and intermediaries. But now, through Jesus, access is personal. You don’t need a priest, a place, or a ritual to reach God. You can approach Him directly, wherever you are.
God’s Dwelling Place—Now Within Us
Before Jesus’ resurrection, God’s presence was confined to the tabernacle. It was a portable worship center, a symbolic reminder of how near yet how distant He was. People couldn’t freely enter the Holy of Holies; it was separated by a curtain.
But when Jesus died, that curtain was torn in two. His sacrifice opened the way for God’s Spirit to dwell within us. What once existed as a shadow on Earth became a living reality in the hearts of believers.
So if your connection with God only happens on Sundays, maybe it’s time to shift that. Faith was never meant to fit into a one-day routine. We gather not because it’s the only way to reach Him but because we were created for community, encouragement, and shared faith.
The New Covenant: Written on the Heart
In Hebrews 8:8–13, quoting from Jeremiah 31, God declares:
“I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people… For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (NIV)
This isn’t just a poetic statement—it’s a radical transformation. The old covenant demanded external obedience, but the new covenant changes the heart itself.
Here’s what this means:
Internal Transformation: The law isn’t about rules on stone tablets; it’s written on our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
Intimate Relationship: God isn’t distant anymore. He says, “I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
Total Forgiveness: The old sacrifices covered sin temporarily. Jesus’ sacrifice removes it completely.
Jeremiah’s words were written during a time of exile and despair. Yet they pointed forward to the hope of restoration—and that hope is now fulfilled through Jesus.
From Separation to Access
Before Jesus’ sacrifice, worship involved separation—layers of curtains, rituals, and priests. Hebrews 9:1–10 paints that picture vividly. The Holy of Holies was a sacred space only one man could enter once a year, and even then, only with blood.
But those sacrifices couldn’t cleanse the conscience. They couldn’t remove guilt. They were symbols of something humanity desperately needed: a true Redeemer.
When Jesus died, He didn’t just open the curtain—He became the way. The old rituals that once reminded people of their distance from God now point us to the closeness we have in Christ.
No longer does sin define us. No longer does shame control us. The blood of Jesus cleanses both the heart and the conscience.
The Power of the Blood
Hebrews 9:11–22 explains what makes Jesus’ sacrifice so different:
“He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.” (NIV)
Every covenant between God and His people was sealed with blood. It symbolized the seriousness and cost of commitment. But those ancient sacrifices were just shadows. Jesus’ blood didn’t symbolize—It secured.
His death was both the offering and the fulfillment. The Lamb became the GOAT—the ultimate sacrifice and the eternal High Priest. By shedding His own blood, He inaugurated a new covenant of grace that guarantees forgiveness for all who believe.
Without blood, there is no forgiveness of sins. And with the blood of Christ, forgiveness is complete, eternal, and freely given.
Once and for All
Hebrews 9:23–28 drives the truth home:
“Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” (NIV)
Jesus doesn’t need to be sacrificed again. His work was finished on the cross. It’s not temporary—it’s timeless.
His sacrifice:
Deals with eternal realities, not earthly symbols.
Happened once, not year after year.
Truly removes sin, not just covers it.
Brings eternal salvation for those who trust Him.
There’s no repeat performance. The cross was the final word. Through it, sin was defeated and death lost its grip.
Living Like Jesus Is the Greatest of All Time
If Jesus really is the greatest of all time—and He is—then that truth changes how we live.
1. Draw Near Daily, Not Occasionally
Because the veil is gone, you can draw near to God anytime. Don’t wait for a Sunday service to feel close to Him. Pray on your commute, worship in your living room, talk to Him while you walk.
Faith isn’t a weekly appointment—it’s a daily relationship.
2. Let His Word Shape Your Heart
The Word isn’t just information—it’s transformation. When you read Scripture, let it dig deep. Don’t treat it like a checklist. Let it challenge you, reshape you, and stir new desires.
Ask yourself: Is Jesus just your Savior, or is He also your Lord?
3. Live Forgiven and Free
Hebrews 8 and Jeremiah 31 remind us that God remembers our sins no more. Maybe the challenge isn’t believing He forgave you—it’s forgiving yourself.
The cross carried your guilt already. Stop picking it back up. Freedom isn’t pretending you never sinned; it’s knowing that sin doesn’t define you anymore.
4. Serve God by Serving People
When your heart is cleansed, your purpose becomes clear: serve the living God.
Serving isn’t about checking a box—it’s about reflecting His heart. Whether it’s giving to a family in need, volunteering, or showing kindness to a neighbor, service is the overflow of gratitude.
To love God is to love others.
5. Live Ready for His Return
Hebrews closes with a reminder: Jesus is coming again. That reality should reshape everything.
So live intentionally. Put down the distractions. Spend time with people you love. Step outside and breathe. Invest in eternity by doing the things Jesus would do.
Life is short, and His return is certain. Live like you believe that.
Make a Spiritual Sacrifice
Jesus gave His life for us—He laid it all down. So what might it look like for you to offer a sacrifice back to Him?
Surrender a lie you’ve believed about yourself.
Commit to reading Scripture daily this week.
Remove a distraction that’s stealing your time or focus.
When you sacrifice something that keeps you from closeness with God, you’ll find a new kind of peace that can’t be manufactured.
A Life That Magnifies Christ
Worship is more than music; it’s a posture. To sing “Christ Be Magnified” isn’t just a lyric—it’s a declaration.
“From the altar of my life, Christ be magnified in me.”
That’s not poetic fluff. In the Old Testament, the altar was a place of sacrifice. Living like Jesus means becoming that altar—dying to self, giving generously, forgiving freely, and loving relentlessly.
He’s still the GOAT. Not because we say it, but because He proved it.
Further Reading
Desiring God: The Superiority of Christ’s New Covenant
Bible Study Tools: Understanding the New Covenant
Other Links
Want to hear more? Check out last week’s message titled, “By Faith: Jesus Is Greater” on View Church’s YouTube Channel.
For more study resources, visit www.viewchurch.co/resources.