Hebrews 8:7–13 “A Better Covenant”

Hebrews 8:7-13 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Great Is Thy Faithfulness | Reawaken Hymns
• In Christ Alone – Keith & Kristyn Getty, CityAlight
• CityAlight ~ Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• God’s Promise for Abraham | Stories of the Bible – Lesson for Kids
• I Am a Promise Lyrics – Song for Kids
• Promise Keeper | Elementary Worship Song – Song for Kids
• I’m Trusting You | Roar VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The regulations regarding the temple in Jerusalem, the sacrifices, and the priests were all based on the “first covenant” (v. 7), which God gave to Moses. This first covenant was inherently flawed. It required that sacrifices be repeatedly offered in a man-made temple, by sinful priests, using the blood of animals. Because of this, God gave a “second covenant.” Several prophets foretold this new covenant, and the author of Hebrews quotes the prophecy given through Jeremiah (vv. 8–12). Jesus referred to this prophecy when he shared the Last Supper with his disciples. His words meant that his blood would be poured out to establish the new covenant.

The first covenant, given through Moses—that is, the Law—was established with the understanding of human sinfulness. It set the boundaries for what God’s people were to follow, even in their state of sin. The Law was essentially saying, “I know you are sinners, but still, you must at least live up to this standard.” In contrast, the second covenant, established through Jesus, was given on the premise that human sinfulness could be healed. It means, “If you are born again, this is how you will live.” For this reason, the first covenant was incomplete, while the second covenant is complete.

Moreover, the first covenant was conditional. The Law was based on the condition: “If you keep the commandments, I will bless you.” On the other hand, the second covenant is unconditional. God unilaterally promises to love and save His people. An eternal and perfect covenant could not be established through the blood of animals. Jesus established this everlasting covenant with his own holy blood. Now, for those who believe in his blood, no further sacrifice is needed—because they have the eternal and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Meditation:

Throughout the history of Christianity, two extreme attitudes toward the Old Testament have always existed. One is the rejection of the Old Testament altogether. People with this view claim that the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament are entirely different. They argue that the God of the Old Testament is a God of law and judgment, whereas the God of the New Testament is a God of grace and salvation. The other extreme is the belief that Christians must still observe the laws of the Old Testament. Those who hold this view insist that Christians must follow the dietary regulations in Leviticus 11 and observe Saturday as the Sabbath.

Orthodox Christianity rejects both of these extremes. It affirms that the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament are the same. The One whom Jesus called “Abba” is the very One who created the heavens and the earth, who called Abraham and began the history of the chosen people, who gave the Law to Moses, and who foretold the coming of the Messiah through the prophets. Therefore, the Old Testament can be seen as the root of the New Testament. Without a proper understanding of the Old Testament, one cannot fully grasp the message of the New Testament. In this way, the Old and New Testaments are continuous and connected.

However, for those who believe in Jesus Christ, the New Testament is our primary textbook, and the Old Testament serves as our reference book. That is because we belong to the new covenant established through Jesus, not the old covenant given through Moses. As people of the New Covenant, we are no longer obligated to follow the laws that were the conditions of the Old Covenant. All the Law and the Prophets have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Because we have received proper rest through the resurrection of Jesus, we gather on Sundays to celebrate his resurrection. Even today, we continue to read the Old Testament and the Law—not because we are bound by it, but to understand the heart of God revealed within it, and to learn from the failures of Israel.

Prayer:

Oh Lord, make us truly born again, and help us to live continually in your grace as people of the new covenant. May your grace flow through our lives into the lives of our neighbors.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Jesus gave us a new and better promise. God gave His people the Law a long time ago, but it couldn’t fully fix our broken hearts. That’s why Jesus came. He made a new promise with us through his love and sacrifice. We don’t have to be perfect—we just need to stay close to Jesus, and he will help us grow.

• For Preschool-Lower Elementary
  • Who made a special promise with us?
  • How do you think Jesus shows us His love?
• For Upper Elementary-Middle School
  • Why do you think God made a second covenant through Jesus?
  • What’s the difference between following rules because you have to and living in God’s grace because you want to?
• For High School
  • The old covenant was conditional, but the new covenant is unconditional. What does that say about God’s heart for us?
  • What does it mean to live as a person of the new covenant in your everyday life (school, home, church)?