The New Covenant

“Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you, for this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.’” Matt. 26:27-28.

A covenant is, by definition, a mutual commitment between two parties. Those who drank of the cup entered into the new covenant that Jesus sealed with His own blood. They committed themselves, and Jesus and the Father committed themselves.

The apostle compares the new and the old covenants when he writes, “Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood.” Heb. 9:18. Both covenants were dedicated in the same way. The difference, however, was that while the first covenant was weak and powerless and could not lead to perfection, the new covenant could. Heb. 7:18-19. We can understand the new covenant better by taking a look at the old covenant.

“Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, ‘All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.’ And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, ‘This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words.’” Ex. 24:7-8.

It was only after they had committed themselves to do and to obey what was written in the Book of the Covenant that they were sprinkled with the blood of the covenant. Peter preached the new covenant in exactly the same way: “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.” 1 Pet. 1:2.

In the first covenant they committed themselves to keep the law, which came through Moses. The law was part of God’s will. God committed Himself to bless them with all earthly blessings and make them the head of all the nations if they obeyed, but He also committed Himself to something more—namely, to curse them if they disobeyed. Deut. 28.

Joshua made this clear to the people after they had entered the Promised Land. Once again they had to make a choice, and they still chose to serve the Lord. Josh. 24:19-22. Jesus also reminds us that we must count the cost.

In the first covenant they committed themselves to keep that part of God’s will that came through Moses, but in the new covenant we commit ourselves to obey all the will of God, for the truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17. You might ask, “If this is the case, who can then turn to the Lord? Surely no one can fulfill those conditions.” Certainly we can! Jesus came, not only with truth, but also with grace—that is, with help. Grace is mentioned first, then truth. If you have committed yourself to obey all the will of God, then the Lord commits Himself to clothe you with power from on high, to equip you with everything that pertains to life and godliness, to write His laws in your heart and mind, and to bless you with all spiritual blessings; and whatever you need to sustain your earthly body will be added to you. What more could you wish for?

The new covenant is clearly expressed in Jesus’ parting words when he says, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matt. 28:18-20.

We can also put it this way: In the old covenant the people committed themselves to tithe; in return, the Lord committed Himself to bless them with all earthly blessings. But this covenant was inadequate, so a new covenant was established. In the new covenant we commit ourselves to give everything; in return, God pledges to blot out our sins, to bless us with all spiritual blessings, and with the earthly things that we need.

The first covenant was consecrated with the blood of bulls, but the second covenant was consecrated with the precious blood of Jesus. Therefore it is called “the blood of the covenant.” Mark 14:24 and Heb. 10:29. If we want the blood of Christ to benefit us personally, we must enter into the new covenant; first we present ourselves unto obedience, then we are sprinkled by the blood of Jesus.

There is as much difference between the old and new covenants as there is between the shadow and the body that casts the shadow.