A New and Perfect Covenant

So we've talked about Jesus as the perfect High Priest, but why did He need to come down here to start with? I mean there was already a system in place for the people of God. There were already priests, a temple, they had the law, that's all they needed right? Apparently not. The first covenant, or arrangement, was a foreshadowing of things that were to come. The purpose of the law was never to save people, it was to reveal to us how utterly sinful and lost we really are. Plus, we haven't even talked about the fact that the first covenant was really only open to Jewish people! If that didn't change I'd be in big trouble! So if the first covenant isn't going to work, then there has to be a second one. 

This all sounds good, but before we go any further, let's make sure that we can back this up with scripture. Check out verse 9:

"Remember, if the first covenant had been able to reconcile everyone to God, there would be no reason for a second covenant."

So the first covenant wasn't able to get the job done. I would argue that it was never meant to get the job done in the first place, but to simply point to the need for Jesus. Again, being able to see this is a benefit of living on this side of the cross! It is amazing to me how many people wish they lived when Jesus did so they could have seen it first hand. I'd just like to point out that practically no one believed Him! I feel extremely blessed to live in the time and place that I do, I get to look at the bigger picture the way most people in history could only dream of. This is what is awesome about having the completed Bible! God has done an incredible thing! What the old covenant failed to do, the new covenant brought forth by Jesus does perfectly. Jesus brought us back into a right relationship with God through His death, burial, and resurrection. 

This is the good news of the gospel. This is why we don't have to follow all the rules and regulations of the Old Testament law. Jesus brought a new covenant, one that replaced the old covenant. The new covenant is perfect, and it gives us the chance to truly have our sins forgiven. If that isn't reason to celebrate, I don't kow what is!

Enjoy the Journey