This chapter is very important for us modern Christians to read and hold on to. Take note of the words in verse 6 where it says that Jesus has received a ministry greater than any high priest’s, and he mediates a covenant that is superior to the old covenant and is founded on better promises. Jesus ministry is better. His covenant is greater and has better promises.
Why does this matter?
Because many of us still try to live under the old covenant, or at least how we perceive the old covenant. We continue to try to offer the right sacrifices and observe the right days and do the right things so that God will accept us. When going to church to hear God’s Word is an obligation (something we’re supposed to do), or we put an offering in the plate because we have to, or we help someone because we’ve got to, we find ourselves slipping back into the old covenant.
The Christian life is not about “have to”, “got to”, or “supposed to.” Our life as Jesus’ followers is about what He has done for us. He offered the sacrifice for our sins on the cross. He gave us new life. He gives us forgiveness. He gives us faith. He sets us free.
Anytime our walk of faith becomes more about what we do, than what Jesus has done and is doing we are in danger. When our worship focuses on what I will do or I will offer instead of what Jesus has offered we are sliding back to that old covenant. When our sermons and messages are filled with exhortations to morality, righteous living, good deeds and right choices instead of focusing on what God has done to transform our hearts and minds through His salvation, we are at risk. (We always underestimate how profoundly deep our sin is, and we therefore miss how amazing what Jesus did on the cross is. The reason we care about being moral, righteous, good, etc. is because of the impact of the Holy Spirit and the power of Jesus’ salvation, making us new creations.)
Read the quotes from the Old Testament the author provides for us. God says, “I will establish . . . this covenant I will make . . . I will put my laws . . . I will be their God . . . I will be merciful . . . and I will remember their sins no more.” “I”, “I”, and “I”. The focus belongs on God.
So what do we do in this new covenant? “They shall be my people.” “They shall all know me.”
That’s it?
That’s a lot! The ramifications of being God’s people are immense! The implications of knowing God are monumental! We can never be the same again in light of these truths! We’re not doing, giving, worshipping, etc so that we can become God’s people. We are God’s people and so our lives change to reflect who God is and what He has done. He is our Lord and King and our lives are lived in devotion to Him because He loves us and has saved us. We don’t spend time in the Word and Prayer because we’re trying to figure out who God is and what He wants for our lives. We are in Word and Prayer because we know God and we want to know Him better, spend time with Him, and enjoy His company. It’s all about Him.
Lord Jesus, focus my life on You. Amen.
Why does this matter?
Because many of us still try to live under the old covenant, or at least how we perceive the old covenant. We continue to try to offer the right sacrifices and observe the right days and do the right things so that God will accept us. When going to church to hear God’s Word is an obligation (something we’re supposed to do), or we put an offering in the plate because we have to, or we help someone because we’ve got to, we find ourselves slipping back into the old covenant.
The Christian life is not about “have to”, “got to”, or “supposed to.” Our life as Jesus’ followers is about what He has done for us. He offered the sacrifice for our sins on the cross. He gave us new life. He gives us forgiveness. He gives us faith. He sets us free.
Anytime our walk of faith becomes more about what we do, than what Jesus has done and is doing we are in danger. When our worship focuses on what I will do or I will offer instead of what Jesus has offered we are sliding back to that old covenant. When our sermons and messages are filled with exhortations to morality, righteous living, good deeds and right choices instead of focusing on what God has done to transform our hearts and minds through His salvation, we are at risk. (We always underestimate how profoundly deep our sin is, and we therefore miss how amazing what Jesus did on the cross is. The reason we care about being moral, righteous, good, etc. is because of the impact of the Holy Spirit and the power of Jesus’ salvation, making us new creations.)
Read the quotes from the Old Testament the author provides for us. God says, “I will establish . . . this covenant I will make . . . I will put my laws . . . I will be their God . . . I will be merciful . . . and I will remember their sins no more.” “I”, “I”, and “I”. The focus belongs on God.
So what do we do in this new covenant? “They shall be my people.” “They shall all know me.”
That’s it?
That’s a lot! The ramifications of being God’s people are immense! The implications of knowing God are monumental! We can never be the same again in light of these truths! We’re not doing, giving, worshipping, etc so that we can become God’s people. We are God’s people and so our lives change to reflect who God is and what He has done. He is our Lord and King and our lives are lived in devotion to Him because He loves us and has saved us. We don’t spend time in the Word and Prayer because we’re trying to figure out who God is and what He wants for our lives. We are in Word and Prayer because we know God and we want to know Him better, spend time with Him, and enjoy His company. It’s all about Him.
Lord Jesus, focus my life on You. Amen.
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