Seeking Jesus First - June 22, 2023

Jesus changed everything. “by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.” (Hebrews 7:22, NKJV)

“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.” (Hebrews 8:6, NKJV)

I love these passages. They speak so much to us. One thing they tell us is that we are not being judged according to The Law of Moses any longer.

The blood of Jesus was both physical and spiritual. It was the holy blood of God and it was the blood of a man. Consequently, the covenant that Jesus made with his blood is both spiritual and physical.

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matthew 26:26–28, NKJV)

When they took this covenant meal, they used bread and wine to represent the body and blood of Jesus who was making a better covenant with God, a new covenant that was founded upon better promises. As prophesied, Jesus suffered, bruising, piercing, whipping and torture, but no broken bones, before dying on the cross. On the cross and with His death, Jesus bore the sin of the world and suffered the shame of God’s rejection of sin. But God did not reject Jesus. This is affirmed in the acceptance of the sacrifice, the blood being poured on the mercy seat in heaven and the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead.

Those passages also tell us that the new covenant promises are better because they don’t just impact the natural realm, but they impact every aspect of your life in the natural and in the spirit. It begins with a spiritual transformation through faith in Christ Jesus. Then it spreads through spirit, soul and body. We are instantly new creatures on the inside, spiritually. Then that righteous DNA goes to work on the soul and body by The Holy Spirit. “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NKJV)

So the promises of the Old Testament are baseline promises for the New Covenant because The New Covenant is a better covenant wit better promises.

Take a look at what God is like in Psalm 103:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:1–12, NKJV)

David encouraged His soul to bless the LORD and remember Who God is and what God promised. He focused on what God would do because of the character of God. He told Himself to remember what kind of God The LORD is. He told Himself to praise no matter the circumstance. He knew He could trust God to be God, love, light and life itself. Then he reminded Himself of the benefits of being in covenant with The LORD.

• He forgives all your iniquities.
• He heals all your diseases.
• He redeems your life from destruction.
• He crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies.
• He satisfies your mouth with good things.
• He renews your youth like the eagle’s.
• He executes righteousness and justice for the oppressed.
• He makes known His ways and shows His acts to those who seek Him.
• He is merciful and gracious.
• He is slow to anger and He abounds in mercy.
• He does not deal with us according to our sins nor has He punished us according to our iniquities.
• His mercy toward those who put their faith in Him is immeasurable. It is only calculable if you can measure the distance between the heavens and the earth.
• When He puts away our sins, they are put in a place that even he can no longer reach them.

Put your faith in God and trust His character. His character is not determined by circumstances. It is declared by His Word like David did. Believe and praise God’s Word because you believe in God.