The validity of the New Testament Gospel message is based upon the crucifixion of Christ, signifying the finished work of the cross.
When it comes to interpreting Scripture, we need to have a Christ- centered view. Jesus, and what He accomplished on the cross, CHANGED EVERYTHING!
The New Covenant – A Superior Covenant
When we celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, we must understand that Jesus on the cross changed everything by establishing a new and far superior covenant.
…He [Christ] has acquired a [priestly] ministry which is as much superior and more excellent [than the old] as the covenant (the agreement) of which He is the Mediator (the Arbiter, Agent) is superior and more excellent, [because] it is enacted and rests upon more important (sublimer, higher, and nobler) promises. —Hebrews 8:6 (AMP)
This makes it very clear that Jesus’ priestly ministry is superior, and He is the Mediator of a superior covenant than the Old Covenant!
The New Covenant is a superior one between the Father and the Son!
It is a covenant eternally established and ratified between God the Father and God the Son! An Arbiter is a person who has the power and authority to decide what will be done and accepted, someone with entire authority and control. A Mediator is a person who acts as a guarantee! Jesus, on our behalf, has the authority to decide what will be done and accepted. Furthermore, Jesus is the One who is guaranteeing the terms, conditions and legal requirements of the New Covenant are already fulfilled on our behalf! We don’t have to fulfill any requirements to keep the covenant.
Jesus changed everything, and we are safe and sound through Him!
The New Covenant is superior based upon better promises.
Under the Old Covenant the promises were dependent upon our ability to perform certain requirements. But
the New Covenant surpasses the old because it’s enacted upon far better, higher, nobler and unconditional promises!
Jesus changed everything, and we are safe and sound through Him!
For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]. For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him [in His Person and by His agency] to the glory of God. —2 Corinthians 1:20 (AMP)
All the promises of God in Him are now YES and AMEN!
The New Covenant is superior because of sin removed!
Hebrews says that by a single offering Jesus established the New Covenant, which is superior and more excellent because
our sin was eternally taken away, leaving us to serve God with a clear conscience and a promise that He will never again remember our sin! (Heb. 10:14-17)
The New Covenant is superior because of justification by faith!
The Old Covenant was one of fault finding, but the New Covenant is one of justification by faith! In Matthew, Jesus said,…except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. —Matthew 5:20 (KJV) Exceed means to superabound in quantity and quality, to be in excess, or to excel!
What Jesus was saying is unless you have a righteousness that is far more superior than the righteousness of the Old Covenant, both in quantity and quality, you will never enter into kingdom living! Paul said that because of the finished work of Jesus, we are made righteous, a righteousness that is far superior to righteousness under the Old Covenant.
The New Covenant is superior because of no judgment!
The Old Covenant was one of judgment and punishment, but in the New Covenant, punishment and judgment have been satisfied!
There has always been only one way we can have access to God and confidence and peace before Him—by faith in the finished work of Christ alone! It’s essential that we absolutely know that we are no longer under the Old Covenant. We are now safe and sound in a new, superior covenant of grace through Jesus Christ!
