It is interesting that, so far, quite a bit about the new covenant is the same as the old covenant. Not as much has changed as some have claimed. Of course, God did say He wouldn’t alter it or defile it (Psalm 89:34). However, there is one aspect of the former covenant that was changed, though not removed, in the new covenant. Our first hint is in Jesus’ statement that the new covenant would be “in His blood” (Luke 20:22; Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24). Thus, the answer to what is new about the covenant can only found in His blood.
As we had learned in the last blog, Jesus’ statement has led some to believe that His death made an end to the law and obedience. However, we also saw how neither of those had changed at the cross. So what has changed?
To begin, we go to this interesting passage in Exodus: “Then [Moses] took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. and they said, ‘All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.’ And Moses took the blood [from the animal sacrifice – see verses 5, 6] and threw it on the people and said, ‘Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance to all these words’” (Exodus 24:7, 8 – notes and emphasis mine).
According to this passage, one of the aspects of the old covenant was that it was inaugurated through the blood of animals. We find this same idea written in Hebrews 9:18–22, where the author makes the concluding statement, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” It is no coincidence that, at both the beginning of the first (old) covenant as well as the start of the new covenant, there is mention of the “blood of the covenant.” In the old covenant, it was the blood of animals. Therefore, it is Jesus’ blood makes the new covenant new.
This change was prophesied long ago. In a messianic prophecies found in Isaiah 42:6 and 49:8, it says the Messiah would be given “as a covenant for the people.” In other words, Jesus, the Messiah, would become the covenant to us. Another interesting messianic prophecy is found in Daniel 9:27—“He will confirm a covenant with many for one week. In the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering.” This may seem confusing at first, but should become clearer as we look at what Jesus did.
We know that the Last Supper was to symbolize His death, and it would be on the cross where His blood would be shed. So how could this change the covenants? (Again, we established that Jesus did not do away with the law on the cross, but rather our debt.)
As we learned, the sacrifice of animals was necessary during the old covenant. In fact, the whole sacrificial system, including the priesthood, was for forgiveness under that covenant. The priests would mediate on behalf of the people by presenting their sacrifices before God inside the Holy Place. However, that system was obviously flawed. Besides the fact that God promised to make a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34), it was mediated by men who were temporary (they died), and flawed (they sinned), and the paid by insufficient blood (animals—which cannot pay man’s debt of sin). Then Jesus died and everything changed.
When He died, the temple curtain (that separated the Holy and Most Holy Places) was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 25:51). This very direct miracle interrupted the sacrifices, but for a moment, because a greater sacrifice had taken place. But, Jesus didn’t die because of His sins, but He died for our sins (Isaiah 53:5)! He became the sacrifice for us.
Instead of relying on the blood of animals, Jesus presents His own blood as payment. “For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant” (Hebrews 9:12–15).
Not only did Jesus become the payment of the new covenant, but also the mediator. Psalms 110:4 (a messianic prophecy) said that Jesus would be “a priest forever.” As a result of Jesus’ sacrifice—and resurrection!—all of the flaws of the old covenant were covered. As Hebrews 7:23–25 says, “The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost, those who draw dear to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
It is in this way that there is a new covenant in Jesus: His sacrifice and priesthood makes the first one obsolete (Hebrews 8:13). No longer do we need to sacrifice animals for our sins—Jesus paid it all! No longer do we need a human priest to mediate on our behalf—Jesus is our High Priest! This means that after three and a half years of ministry (half of seven), Jesus ended the need for sacrifices and offerings, by becoming the offering. This is what makes the new covenant new. What changed was our payment and our priest.
Did you notice that when Israel entered into the covenant with God, in Exodus 24, Moses poured the blood on the people (I know, gross isn’t it?). They started their relationship covered in the “blood of the covenant.” After the cross, we are to start our relationship with God covered completely in Jesus blood.
Yes, the new covenant is much better. Not because it might have done away with all the rules and requirements—because when you love God, His “rules” are not burdensome (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3). It is better because it is 100% effective. Because His sacrifice covers sins committed under the new and the old covenants. Because Jesus, our Creator, is our Sacrifice, our Savior, and our Mediator. The new covenant in Jesus’ blood is greater because it is the only way eternal life is possible. Praise God for the new covenant!