Jesus, The Guarantor Of A Better Covenant With Better Promises (Part II)

Scripture: (Hebrews 8:6)  But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a ‘better covenant, which was established on better promises. Read (Heb. 8:7-13)

 Perhaps, there are fewer and fewer questions concerning the New Covenant among the Christian community today. There would not be an understanding of the New Covenant without knowledge of the Old Covenant and vise versa. The Old and New Testament scriptures hold these truths.  (Heb. 8:4-13). Jesus establishes the new covenant with His shed blood once on the cross at Calvary. No longer would the sacrificing of bulls and goats be needed. We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all times (Heb. (10:10).  

He now is our High Priest seated on the right of the Father in Heaven. He is an eternal priest with an eternal covenant. This Jesus is the guarantor of the (new) better  covenant.  Jesus lives forever and has a permanent  priesthood. He always lives to intercede for the saved.  The Lord never intended for the old covenant to be forever (Heb. 8:5). God always intended to establish a new covenant with His people -- one that was different from the one made with Moses and Israel following their exodus from Egypt. The old Covenant with all the rituals and sacrificing, was a shadow of heavenly things.  The Prophets -- Moses, Jeremiah and Ezekiel all alluded to the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31);,  (Ezekiel 36:24-28).

The New Covenant (Testament) is a promise that was made by God with humanity that He would forgive sin and restore fellowship with those whose hearts were turned towards Him.  The new covenant was established while the old covenant was becoming obsolete. That which was obsolete would soon vanish. Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant (Heb. 9:15), and His death on the cross was and is the basis of the promise (Luke 22:20). Saying,  “ this cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.”  Jesus’ blood would take away sin (Heb. 10:4). There was nothing in the law that could empower the people to obey it. It simply told the people what they should do, and what they should not do. With the New Covenant the Christ established and the gift of the Holy Spirit who indwells us ---we not only know what to do, we have been given the power to do it.

There are multiple reasons why the new covenant is better. It is not dependent upon man for its effectiveness. The people under the (old  covenant) law said; “we will.” The Lord says of the new covenant- “I will.” The prophet Ezekiel wrote:  (36:24-28), “I will put My spirit within you;” “I will cleanse you from all your filthiness;” “ I will give you a new heart of flesh and put My spirit within you.” In addition, Jeremiah wrote: (v 31:13), “ I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and Judah; I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts; I will be their God; I will forgive iniquity and their sin; “I will never again remember their sins” (Heb. 8:12b).  

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, You are the “I AM” who is more than able to shepherd  Your people. For, You came to do the will of the Father. Hallelujah Lord!  You have confirmed Your last will, and sealed it Yourself with Your blood. It is a done deal. In You name. Amen.

(by Novella D. Carpenter)