September 18, 2017: Day 29 – Hebrews 8

If you want to understand this verse you have to turn to Jeremiah 31:31-34.  Here we find the foundation of our understanding that Jesus came and established a new covenant.  The old covenant is the one that was based upon the law.  “But Jesus has now obtained a more excellent ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted through better promises.”  Did you get that.  The old covenant is no longer the one which draws us closer to God.   There is actually a better covenant.  

That covenant is based upon sacrifice, made by God for us.  That covenant is based on grace, God’s grace which compensates for our sin.  That covenant is based upon faith, not works lest we be deceived.  It is interesting that this covenant that is established by Christ is called a second one.  I firmly believe that God never has a plan A and then when that goes awry He tries out a plan B.  No, this is the second covenant because the first served its purpose.  The second, however, is the one under which we live.  

He calls the old covenant obsolete.  He says that what is obsolete will disappear.  Interesting, the ten commandments are part of the old covenant…