For the people of Israel, God instituted the priestly service to provide for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus serves in the true tabernacle. Through him, we may go directly and personally to God in prayer. He serves before the very throne of God in heaven. Jesus offered himself for the sins of the world. his priestly service is not of earth, but of heaven, and his ministry is superior. By his death, Jesus established a new covenant between God and his people. This covenant is far superior to the old covenant. This covenant rules over sin and binds men inseparably to God himself.

The first covenant was incomplete. The laws given in the Old Testament were God-given, to reveal his glory to a nation of slaves. But the people disobeyed God's call and compromised with the culture and religion of Canaan. The covenant of law could not help them; it only condemned them. Jeremiah spoke about the new covenant, and Jesus established it with his own blood, shed for the sins of the world. The Holy Spirit, given to all who repent and believe, writes God's law on our hearts. The new covenant enables each person to have a personal relationship with God (11). God promises to forgive our sins (12). We may know the Lord, and this is eternal life (Jn 17:3). The new covenant is superior and perfect.


Application: Lord, thank you for providing the new covenant in Jesus' blood. Bind me to you.
One Word: Bound to God by the new covenant