|
|
The Better Covenant (Part 1) While growing up, our parents would talk to us about their childhood. I do not remember them using the term, "the good old days," although I am sure they contained good times. They grew up during the depression. Their houses did not have running water, central heat/air conditioning, and some did not have a real floor. They were fortunate to have food on the table, shoes to wear, and a coat for the winter. Entertainment for them was walking to the nearest home with a radio or going to a "revival" some where. In contrast, we lived in a good house with running water and heat. We had plenty of good clothes and a black and white television. I am sure part of the reason for telling us about their childhood was my parents’ desire for us to know that we were fortunate. You see, things were better for us because the times were good. By using contrast, we can compare two or more things. We contrast cars, or houses, or the times to decide which is better. This does not mean that either house, or car, or times had no good qualities, but that one is superior to the other. We can compare and contrast the Law of Moses with the Law of Christ. The Character of the Laws As you read through Exodus and Leviticus, the physical instructions and details given becomes almost mind boggling. The layout of the tabernacle, types of materials, dimensions, and a host of other things are given time and again. Hence, the Law of Moses dealt with worship and service to God in a physical and spiritual way. The Hebrew writer contrasted the two laws by saying, "not according to the law of fleshly commandments, but according to the power of an endless life" (7:16). The law of Christ deals with the heart of man. In the Law of Moses, the altar was sprinkled with the blood of bulls and goats; but the Christian’s heart is sprinkled with the blood of Christ. "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil consciences and our bodies washed with pure water" (10:2). The Law of Moses was given only to the Jews and only the Jews were under that system. Ephesians 2:14 speaks of the "middle wall of division" that separated the Jews and Gentiles. Only those present at Mount Sinai were sprinkled with the "blood of calves and goats" (Heb. 9:19). Only they and their children were born into the covenant relationship with God. Today, we all are accountable to the law of Christ. "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:18-19, emphasis mine, D.T.). While it was possible for the Gentiles to please God, separate from the Jews, today both Jews and Gentiles are one in Christ. Jesus contrasted this in referring to the feeding of the Jews, manna in the wilderness, with the bread of life intended for the word in John 6."For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second" (Heb. 8.7). The fault in the Old Law was not with its lawgiver or purpose for it was given to lead man to Christ and to restrain him from sinning. Its fault or inadequacy was that it could not forgive sins. Under the Law of Moses, once a person sinned, he was condemned by the law. Even when he offered the sacrifices as prescribed by the law, the sins remained year after year. "For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me" (Romans 7:11). "But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises (Heb. 8:6). James 1.25 describes the law as the perfect law of liberty. It is perfect because it can grant forgiveness of sin and liberate us from the bondage of sin. "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2). The Law Givers "And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end" (3.5-6). On Mount Sinai, God gave the law to Moses. It was understood that this was God’s Law, and Moses was only the messenger. Moses was a prophet, a spokesman for God—nothing more or less. Later on, God used other men to reveal His will. Today we have a lawgiver who is God’s own Son. "God, who at various times and in different ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son" (Heb. 1:1-2a). Christ is superior in being the Son of God as compared to just a servant, and Christ is overseeing His own house whereas Moses was overseeing God’s house. —more next week., Dennis Tucker |