Scripture: Hebrews 9:15-22 (ESV) "Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, 'This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.' And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins."
Imagine one day getting a phone call from a lawyer letting you know you are the last remaining relative of some distant family member who has died. As a result you have inherited a massive fortune consisting of lots of land, several hundred million dollars and a few castles to boot. What would your reaction be? I think I would probably check for cameras to make sure I wasn’t punked. I probably wouldn’t believe it until the money appeared in my bank account, and even then I would probably live in constant fear that there was some big mistake and that the money would be gone instantly. But assuming it was all above board, your life would change overnight.
The thing is the money wouldn’t be yours until your long lost relative died. The will would not come into effect until the death of the person whose will it was. That is the metaphor the author of Hebrews turns to now. Throughout the letter, he has been painting a picture of how Jesus was the better sacrifice and the better priest. Now he says that Jesus is the better mediator of a better covenant. In the old covenant goats and sheep were offered and their blood was sprinkled on the people as a signpost of a the forgiveness of the people’s sin. This old covenant in some ways was like a signature on a will. It certified that the sins are forgiven, that the will is legal and binding, but the will doesn’t come into effect until the person whose will it is dies.
Now that Jesus has come and has lived a perfect life and died the death he didn’t deserve, the person whose will it was has finally died. The promises the old covenant pointed to, like the forgiveness of sins and being adopted into God’s family, are finally realised. Instead of inheriting the death we deserve because of our sin, we inherit eternal life through Jesus instead. And if we stopped for a moment and thought about what that means for us we should react more strongly than if we inherited a few hundred million dollars.
We have inherited eternal life and become co-heirs with Christ. That’s worth far more than a few castles on earth. Are you grateful yet?
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for being the better mediator of a better covenant in your blood. Thank you that through your death you have ensured the eternal forgiveness of all my sin. Thank you that I now live as an adopted child of God and that I have inherited eternal life though you. It is an incredible privilege.
Amen.
Spiritual Challenge:
Today, reflect on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice. Take a moment to thank Him for the eternal inheritance you have received. Consider one way you can live out this gratitude, whether through an act of kindness, sharing the gospel, or through dedicating time to prayer and worship.
Where there is a Will, there is a way