OCT 1

Hebrews 9:15
Memorise 2 Corinthians 5:17
“He (Jesus) is the mediator of the new testament”

“And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15). Let’s answer the question for today – What do the words “new testament” mean? We can say – that’s easy! – when we open our Bible, we see that it has two sections – the Old and the New Testaments! So there it is! But read the verse for today “And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament…” – and you can see that “new testament” can have another meaning. It also means “new covenant”. If there’s a “new covenant”, it’s logical to deduce that there must be an “old covenant” – and you’re right!

“Covenant” is a wonderful word. It means an agreement – in this case an agreement/treaty between God and man. It tells us that our God is not a remote, abstract God who has no love, no feeling towards his creation. Our God is a very “personal” God! But why do we need a “treaty” with God? Read the verse today and you’ll understand. We need a “treaty” because:
1. We are all sinners (we’ve all committed “transgressions”)
2. So we deserve condemnation (hell)
3. God loves us, and He knows that we cannot save ourselves from condemnation/hell
4. So, He sent His Son to die (“by means of death”) for us, to “redeem” us – Jesus is our “Mediator” – the One who makes peace between God and man
5. So that we can have His “eternal inheritance” (of salvation – justification, sanctification and glorification)

This is therefore what the whole of the New Testament is about - it is the fulfilment of God’s covenant or promise with His people, of how He sent his only begotton son the Lord Jesus Christ to die for our sins. Simply put, it is the whole gospel message! As believers in this present church age, we are all under this new covenant. However that does not mean that salvation in the past prior to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ was any different. We all looked to Christ by grace through faith. Through our study in the next few days, we will come to understand more of what this is all about.

Thought: Our God is a “personal” God. As His children, it is our joy to get to know Him more and more each day, as He is revealed in His word through the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Lord, teach me to love Thy Word more and more each day.