Why is the new covenant so important to us? First, lets see what it means to have a new covenant.
Jeremiah 31:31 – “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them”, says the Lord.
This announcement is a key point in the timeline of God and his relation to his people. It is his promise of a new covenant, different from, and much improved, from the covenant made at Mount Sinai. This is the first biblical reference to a new covenant. The passage is quoted in the New Testament, Heb. 8:8-12.
If we look at
Luke 22:20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you”
Jesus declares the new and better covenant.
Let’s now look at the word ‘new’ in both passages.
Jeremiah 31:31 H2319 new (48x), new thing (4x), fresh (1x). Hebrew: chadash
a) new, new thing, fresh
Luke 22:20 G2537 New (44x). Greek: kainos
a) as respects form
– recently made, fresh, recent, unused, unworn
b) as respects substance
– of a new kind, unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of
It is absolutely clear that this is a new and not renewed or upgraded covenant, but is a completely new relationship between God and man. The error that is circulating in some Hebrew roots and/or Torah observant Christian groups is dismissed by both of these passages, among others.
Now let’s look at the benefits of the new and better covenant.
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.
This verse, and much of the book of Hebrews, shows us that the new covenant is superior to the old. There are many and significant benefits and advantages to the new covenant versus the old.
Here are 12 benefits of the new covenant
- God forgives all our sins (Matthew 26:28, Acts 13:38). Our sins are not merely covered by the blood of bulls and goats, they are paid for and taken away by the Lamb of God (John 1:29). At the cross, justice was satisfied. His forgiveness is perfectly complete.
- God remembers our sins no more (Hebrews 8:12, 10:17; Jeremiah 31:34). In terms of justification it’s as if we never did them.
- God promises never to be angry with us again (Isaiah 54:7-10). Unlike the obsolete covenant of law, the new covenant is an everlasting covenant of love and peace (Isaiah 54:10, 55:3). God will never stop doing good to us (Jeremiah 32:40).
- God qualifies us (Colossians 1:12). It’s no longer a case of what we do (under the law covenant) or who we’re related to (under the Abrahamic covenant). It’s who we trust.
- Jesus takes hold of us and never lets go (Philippians 3:12, Jude 24). Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:39). Consequently we can speak of our hope as a “firm and secure” anchor for the soul (Hebrews 6:19).
- God credits us with the perfect righteousness of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). Righteousness is not earned, it is received (Romans 5:17). Because of Jesus’ sacrifice our status before God is “perfect forever” (Hebrews 10:14).
- God gives us the Holy Spirit to teach us (John 14:26), empower us (Acts 1:8) and remind us of our righteousness (John 16:10). We no longer need priests to mediate for us, for now we can all know the Lord (Jeremiah 31:34). We are His royal priests (1 Peter 2:9).
- God is for us (Romans 8:31) God justifies us and there is no more condemnation (Romans 8:1). When we sin, Jesus doesn’t judge us, He defends us (1 John 2:1). His grace enables us to overcome sin (Titus 2:12). He abundantly supplies all our needs (Philippians 4:19) that we might enjoy life to the full (John 10:10). God’s favour is unearned and unmerited.
- God is with us (Ezekiel 37:27) Because of Jesus the door to the throne room is always open (Hebrews 4:16). We can approach Him with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12).
- God empowers us to overcome the enemy (1 John 5:4). We have His delegated authority over demons and disease (Mark 16:17). We live under His divine protection (Luke 10:19). We are destined to “reign in life” (Romans 5:17).
- God offers us His rest (Hebrews 4:10-11). Under the old covenant it was do, do, do. Under the new covenant it’s done, done, done (John 19:30). We are seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).
- God gives us eternal life (Romans 6:23).
This is an awesome list of benefits. What Jesus gave us via the cross is simply incredible.
We obtain these benefits by His grace and through faith in Him.
We are no longer under the Law but under grace (Romans 6:14–15). The Old Covenant has served its purpose, and it has been replaced by “a better covenant” (Hebrews 7:22).
Under the New Covenant, we are given the opportunity to receive salvation as a free gift (Ephesians 2:8–9). Our responsibility is to exercise faith in Christ, the One who fulfilled the Law on our behalf and brought an end to the Law’s sacrifices through His own sacrificial death. Through the life-giving Holy Spirit who lives in all believers (Romans 8:9–11), we share in the inheritance of Christ and enjoy a permanent, unbroken relationship with God (Hebrews 9:15).