A (Much) Better Covenant

Text: Hebrews 8:7-13

Theme: God made a new covenant with us so we can know him intimately in our hearts.

Key verses: “The day is coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors…They did not remain faithful to my covenant, so I turned my back on them, says the Lord. But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors…For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already. And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins” (v. 8-12).

What God said to me: Dwayne, now you really have no excuse. Of course, the people of Israel didn’t have an excuse either for following me. However, now I’ve sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in you. That’s something the people of Judah and Israel didn’t have–the powerful, guiding, ever-present indwelling of the person of the Holy Spirit. My new covenant means my law is written on your heart. No longer do you have to go to a temple or tabernacle to hear my Words read and to learn about me. The Holy Spirit will teach you all things that Jesus said. He will illumine your spirit and mind that you can understand the things I have freely given to you. That’s what it (probably) means when it says in this passage that “they will not need to teach their neighbors, for everyone will know me already.” In this day and age, my Spirit is the One who draws a person to me. No one can come to the Father except the Spirit draw him or her. You still need pastors and human teachers to help instruct you, and you will always need the fellowship and accountability of attending a local church. Some might read this passage in Hebrews and assume you are off the hook for evangelism and teaching. Not so. You must always interpret scripture with scripture. There are plenty of other passages–including Jesus’ Great Commission–that makes it clear you are to go and tell and teach all nations. The difference is that now my Spirit is going before you to prepare their hearts and to convict them of sin and their need of me. When you stand to teach, the Holy Spirit is interpreting your words and confirming my Word to their hearts and minds. My New Covenant rocks in every way! People of earth really have no excuse but to follow, know and love me with their whole hearts. My desire and intent is to forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more–if only they will repent and follow me.

What I said to God: Thank You, holy Father, for your loving and convicting voice inside my heart this morning. What a privilege to know You more and more, and to be chastened and guided by you each and every day. Thank You, thank You for putting Your law in my heart and for being my God. I love that we are Your people and the sheep of Your pasture! It’s also reassuring to know that You are going before us to prepare the hearts of those we teach and witness to. Please prepare those we will encounter and teach in Africa over the next 4 weeks. Please lead people across our paths that don’t know You as Savior and Lord.