The better covenant

In today's world, yesterday's model be it a phone or some other gadget, is quickly overtaken by better technology. Consumer demand is stimulated by marketing the better and improved model. The book of Hebrews in like fashion tells of the better covenant.


The Bible says that "he (God) takes away the first (covenant) that He may establish the second" (Heb.10:9) The second covenant surpassed the first covenant because it went beyond our trying to meet all of the requirements of the first covenant. It became obsolete.


The first covenant was based upon the performance of people to obey the Ten Commandments and if successful to then enjoy ongoing relationship with God without any sense of condemnation. The law however was always designed to measure human performance. Of itself it could do nothing to change human performance for the better.


The second covenant, by contrast, was based upon the performance of His own Son. Jesus alone kept the entirety of the law in terms of both the letter and the spirit. Therefore he alone was fit to represent law breakers as the perfect sacrifice to take away the sin of the world. His supreme act at Calvary absorbed every judgement required by a holy God. His sacrificial act nullified any further legal requirement for the atonement of sins thereby clearing the way for the better covenant. The better covenant was not based upon our performance but was based on His performance.


One benefit of the upgraded covenant for the believer is that instead of the law having power to accuse you when you do wrong, you now have an advocate who represents you in heavenly places. Under the terms of the old covenant you represented yourself but under the terms of the better covenant you have an Advocate to represent you! His representations are not based on what you have done (good, bad or ugly) but rather are based upon what the client (the believer) believes about what the Advocate himself has done (His death, burial and resurrection).


Every person needs this sort of Advocate in the heavenly places. His pleadings are always backed up by His performance. All that we have to do to have this representation is to believe on His finished work. Experiencing and knowing this sort of advocacy serves to motivate us to want to live for Him. Why wouldn't you want to live for Him? After all he gave Himself for you and I. This is the better covenant!




Adapted from Ross Smith's book, "It Is Finished". To purchase "It Is Finished" go to www. thevine.org.au/resources.html
Ross Smith is Senior Pastor of The Vine Church, Logan City, Queensland, Australia.