by Glen R. Jackman
In the book of Hebrews, we see that Jesus Christ is our mediator before the Father — our go-to representative. It is important that we see that when He died on the cross He instituted the New Covenant as the Word of God makes it clear. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many” (Mark 14:24)
Further, we see the connection in the book of Hebrews:
“But in fact 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” (Hebrews 8:6 NIV).
Here we see that the New Covenant instituted on the cross by Christ is superior to the previous Old Covenant given to the Jews which they understood as “salvation by works”. The New Covenant is based on Christ’s dying for our sins on the cross in our place – dying the death which was ours to bear – which offers forgiveness of our sins for all who accept His sacrifice.
Some might say, “Hmm, I’m not that bad. Buddy is worse than me. I do good things. God isn’t going to judge anyone!” Yet the Bibles states that “death has passed unto all men” (Romans 5:12 NIV) and makes it clear that “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 ESV)
By putting our faith in Him and claiming the promises of God such as “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21 NIV), we are forgiven. The Jews thought they could be and do everything the law required of them, on their own steam, yet failed because they did not have a new heart. They were not born again of the Holy Spirit.
Looking at the establishment of these “better promises” we can locate the promised blessedness of the New Covenant that is offered to us. The new covenant was mentioned in Ezekiel: “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. (Ezekiel 36:25-27 ESV)
Our Father in Heaven is a father over His kingdom of all who follow Him by accepting His Son, Jesus Christ as Lord. He desires that we live in harmony within His family, and respect each other based on love and justice – right living. Such principles lead to a happy and fulfilled life.
The apostle Paul wrote similar recognition of the importance of the New Covenant work of the Holy Spirit within our minds: “in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:4 ESV) “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Romans 8:14 ESV) Jesus said “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5 ESV)
The Lord’s work is accomplished by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The New Covenant promised a cleansing of our impure way of living, which is accomplished by receiving a new heart and mind that appreciates God’s laws which are based on love. The promise is offered and God always accomplishes His promises. Yet he makes it clear that we must collaborate with him and claim the promises as our own as we ask him to achieve them. He said “I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it” and “This also I will let the house of Israel ask me to do for them” (verse 36-37) In this context, God also made promises to restore Israel in their land and bless them in many physical ways, not just spiritually. In keeping with this, Jesus taught that we need not worry about our physical needs such as food or clothing or shelter if we seek God first: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33) And the Bible teaches that seeking God, means praying to Him: “I sought the Lord. I kept my hand raised in prayer throughout the night” (Psalm 77:2)
The fulfillment of the great promises of the New Covenant depends on prayer. In answer to the prayer of Jeremiah, God had said: “I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me…” (Jeremiah 32:40). And to Ezekiel He had spoken: “I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command” (Ezekiel 36:27).
Often in our unbelief we do not expect these promises to be truly fulfilled. We do not have the faith in the mighty power of God that He is waiting to make His promise true in our individual experience. God has said that without such faith our experience will only be partial and limited. However, He has graciously showed us the way in which such faith can be found. It is as we call out to him in prayer!
“Ask me and I will tell you some remarkable secrets about what is going to happen here” (Jeremiah 33:3).
When individual men and women prayerfully turn to God with their whole hearts the Lord is pleased to fulfill His promises to renew the heart and mind by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. We need to pray that the power of the Holy Spirit may be deeply known and that our faith may be strengthened to claim and to expect His power to overcome sin in our lives.