This is the New Covenant

In My Blood

Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (See Psa. 116:13 for the cup of salvation.)

In the book of Hebrews, St. Paul draws a parallel between the initiation of the Old Covenant, and the initiation of the New Covenant. Let us hear his words:

Hebrews 9:19-23 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Vs. 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Vs. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. Vs. 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Vs. 23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. (Paul is quoting from Exodus 24:7-8).

Notice the italicized portions of the above passages. Moses said, "This is the blood of the testament (covenant) which is given for you." The people were sprinkled with the blood, because without the shed blood there is no remission of sins. Also, observe the last part of verse 23: "…But the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these." The blood of calves served as an age-lasting remedy for sin upon earth, and for the heavenly patterns revealed in the tabernacle. However, when the New Covenant was inaugurated, a more adequate sacrifice was necessary. The whole order of things was moving from the earthly sphere to the heavenly – heaven itself must be purified. The blood of animals could not purge the sin that was committed in heaven. We may wonder – what sin was committed in heaven? The sins of pride, rebellion, and betrayal took place there by Lucifer and his followers.

In order for a testament to be put into force there must be a death. The word "testament" is still the same Greek word as covenant. However, in the sense that it is being used here, you have the thought of a "will." We cannot cash in on a will until the testator dies. The apostle brings this out very eloquently in the same chapter. "For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth" (Heb. 9:16-17).

Our Testator was Christ. When He symbolically took the cup and passed it to His disciples, He was declaring a new day, "This is My blood of the New Covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins." The One who co-authored this testament had to give His life in order to put it into force! On the eve of the crucifixion, whilst Jesus and the disciples were commemorating the Passover. Jesus took the symbolic cup and inaugurates the New Covenant: "This is My blood…" Israel had been celebrating this feast for about 1500 years, but this night was different because the Passover was about to be fulfilled. Christ is actually called "our Passover" in First Corinthians 5:7.

My mother was converted when she was about seventeen years old (1934). As the preacher was giving the invitation that morning, she saw the blood flowing from the cross – she was never the same! The pattern has never changed. The act that delivered Israel from the power of Egypt was the lamb slain. Occasionally, we sing the old hymn that commemorates the event: "When I see the blood." "When I see the blood, I will pass, I will pass-over you!" Our salvation resides in the (invisible) covering of the blood of Christ. We are spared from the wrath of God’s judgement because of the blood of Jesus.

One point of doctrine that we must be very clear upon is that salvation is only through the blood of Christ. Saint Peter phrases it like this: "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold… but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Pet 1:18-19). The initial act that translates us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light, is a revelation of the crucified Lamb of God.

The Blood of Christ is the point of entry for all men who believe. Because the nation of Israel rejected the blood of the New Covenant, the door was opened to "whomsoever will." In fact, in the book of Revelation we see the nations who have fully appropriated the promises of the covenant – they are singing: "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" (Rev. 5:9).

Our salvation and indeed the continuing redemption process reside in the blood of Christ. Man is initially saved through faith in the sacrificial act of Christ. The book of Romans substantiates this: "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (a pass-over) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past…" (Rom. 3:25). We are completely forgiven for past sin, and as we continue to walk in the light, His blood continually cleanses us. His blood continually cleanses us and shall be our covering in the day that the books are opened. The apostle also declares that the blood of Jesus saves us from the wrath to come. "Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him" (Rom. 5:9).

When we come to Christ at salvation, we are given a clean slate. Like a condemned criminal standing before the judge, God completely forgives us on the merits of His own Son. Christ was our substitute, He paid for our crimes, and thus we are set free. Notwithstanding, we must take careful note of the wording in Romans 3:25: "…To declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past…" We are not absolved from future (unrepentant) crimes. The Blood of Christ is all-powerful. It is sufficient to cleanse the (compounded) sins of the whole world. It is sufficient to purify heaven itself! Yet, it does not cover unconfessed or unrepentant sin!

The ceremonial law of Leviticus teaches us spiritual truths – it gives us the pattern of heavenly (spiritual) laws or principles. (See Hebrews 8:5, 9:8, and 9:23.) The offender (under the law) had to come back to the altar, make confession, or restitution if necessary. The sacrifice was then slain in the place of the offender, and he was forgiven his sin (Lev. 5:5-6:7). Nothing has changed except the form of the sacrifice. We must continue to come back to our spiritual altar (Heb. 13:10). We must still confess our sin – or make amends if possible (Matt. 5:23-24) – and we must still appropriate the blood. Of course, we are referring to the Blood of Christ.

The apostle John pens this so eloquently: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). There must be an "up to date" relationship with the Savior. We are exhorted through much of scripture to make our calling and election sure. In other words, we have a part to play in our own destiny. The Lord told Israel, "I will bring you into the land…" Yet; most of that generation did not get into the land, because of a flagrant disregard for the rules. "If ye be willing and obedient…" Israel did not believe, and Israel rebelled!

Again, we take our bearings from the apostle John: "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). John gives us the key to maintaining an up to date relationship – walk in the light. In other words, walk in the light of His Word. Obey His voice; obey the quickening of His Word. As the psalmist also said: "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word" (Psa. 119:9). As we walk in obedience to Christ, His blood continually cleanses us from all sin.

There is a doctrine that has come to be known as "eternal security." Essentially, what this doctrine teaches is that once you are saved, you cannot possibly lose your salvation. Often the supporters of this doctrine, excuse the "backslider" by saying, they were never really saved to begin with. May I say from thirty years of ministerial experience, that I have known whole-hearted Christians that have served the Lord – even in the ministry, who have gone back into the world. The scripture fully supports what I am saying. Many, who were co-laborers with St. Paul, later became "enemies" of the cross (Phil. 3:18-19).

Heb 10:26-29 "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, Vs. 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Vs. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Vs. 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?"

The covering of the Blood of Christ does not apply to flagrant disobedience. Unless the offender is reconciled to the Blood of Christ, there is no more covering for sin! If a transgressor died without mercy under the Law of Moses – which was a less demanding covenant, of how much sorer punishment shall it be for the transgressor who rejects the Spirit of grace? There is no manner in which these verses can be explained away. The man was sanctified by the blood of the New Covenant. He was in the kingdom. He willfully transgressed the commandments of Christ. He (in effect) trampled over the Son of God, despising His Blood, and despised the Spirit of grace. This man will be blotted out of the book of life (Rev. 3:5).

There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins,
and sinners plunge beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains,
lose all their guilty stains - lose all their guilty stains,
and sinners plunge beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains.
(William Cowper, 1732 – 1800)

Now here is a song that they could not sing in the Old Testament. In fact, none living in the BC (before Christ) can sing that song. Guilt, was something those under the Old Covenant had to live with – they even took it to the grave. There was a fear in death for this very reason – because of the guilty conscience. (Heb. 2:15). Guilt has caused people to do strange things. Guilt has driven people to alcohol, to sanitariums, and even to suicide.

Pilate could not wash the guilt off his hands. In Mel Gibson’s portrayal of the passion, Pilate kept trying to wash his hands, finally his attendant said: "Sir, you’ve washed your hands." According to the historian Eusebius Pamphilius, Pilate later committed suicide on a mountain overlooking Lake Lucerne (Switzerland). A poetic ending for one who condemned the most innocent man that ever lived. Most betrayers in scripture committed suicide.

Heb 10:1-4 "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. Vs. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? Because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. Vs. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. Vs. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."

As we analyze the (above) verses, we can understand why man went to the grave feeling condemned. The blood of calves only served as a sin covering for the time then present. God accepted the atonement of animal blood, and the offender was forgiven. Notwithstanding, the offender still had to deal with a defiled conscience – although forgiven – not forgotten.

Consider King David who had fallen into such a terrible pit of sin. Although David had been forgiven, he was overcome with the sense of guilt and remorse. In psalm 40:12, David said, "For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up…" Now that is condemnation, that is loss of self-respect. David could not even hold his head up for the shame that he had incurred. Maybe, well-deserved shame, but one thing is sure; when a person gets into a pit of despond like this, they are not of much good to man or God. David longed for the purging of his conscience. He says in another place: "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean…." The hyssop branch was used ceremonially to sprinkle the sacrificial blood. David longed to be clean within.

Part of the New Covenant promise given in Jeremiah is quoted by the apostle Paul: "I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more" (Heb. 10:17). The reason that those under the Old Covenant continued to offer (yearly) the same sacrifices for sin was that their conscience was still polluted. As the author of Hebrews had said, those offerings could not perfect the offerer – and especially concerning their conscience. We also have the thought that even God remembered the offenses. Animal blood did not totally satisfy the righteous demands of God.

Heb 10:12-18 "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; Vs. 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. Vs. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Vs. 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, Vs. 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; Vs. 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Vs. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin."

The "once for all" offering of Christ satisfied the judgement of God. The offender was not only declared to be justified, but the offenses were declared to be forgotten. When the Lord said that he would forget our transgression that is exactly what He meant – never to be remembered again! Moreover, this New Covenant has another benefit, not only does Our Lord promise to forget our transgressions, He promises to remove the guilt from our own heart!

Heb 9:14 "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

A minister was telling a story about a man who had committed a crime for which he deemed himself unworthy of salvation. Not only did he disqualify himself from salvation, but also, he daily tortured his conscience with reflections of yesteryear. During the Second World War, this man’s outfit had captured a number of prisoners – maybe around a hundred. It seems that these prisoners were bogging them down and keeping them from any further action. Finally, he gave an order to have them all shot. As they were being lined up, they were begging this captain for mercy.

For many years, he could still hear them begging for mercy; and because he had not shown mercy, he could not accept mercy himself. I forgot exactly what the minister said that led him to salvation, but as I recall the story the captain walked away with a conscience that was at rest! The blood of Jesus is so powerful that it can cleanse the stained conscience.

The Blood of Christ is sufficient for the sins of the whole world. If a man says, "I am too bad… I am too wicked, you do not know what I have done, etc." What he is really saying is, the Blood of Christ is not sufficient for my sin. The Blood of Christ sets our spirit free. It puts lightness in our step. It puts a song in our heart, and a testimony upon our lips. As King David said, "Many shall see this and trust in the Lord!"

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only,
but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:2

The Old Testament saints went to the grave in fear, and in trepidation, because they were still conscious of the many sins committed over their lifetime. They were going to meet their Maker with a defiled conscience. How different it is for the New Covenant saint. The purged conscience takes the fear out of dying – at least in that respect. A pastor was recently telling me about the death of a saint. The man who was dying had been a part of Gospel quartet for many years. In his final moments he was looking into glory and saying with ecstasy, wow, WOW!

Not only did Christ co-author this covenant, He initiated it with His Own Blood – with His Own Life. However, it did not end there, He also rose again to guarantee the recipients of this covenant every necessary grace and privilege to inherit the "full" possession. Full salvation – redeemed from all iniquity (Titus 2:14), that we might be His sons and daughters throughout the ages to come!

* The word "surety" means, "guarantee" in Hebrews 7:22.

Arise my soul arise, shake off the guilty fears;
the bleeding Sacrifice in my behalf appears;
before the throne my surety stands,
before the throne my surety stands:
My name is written on His hands.
Charles Wesley