The main distinction between the Old and New Testaments of the Bible are the two covenants. During the Old Testament, God established laws, gave promises, and explained expectations to the Jews developing a relationship which seems much different than the one we read about with the apostles in the New Testament and which continues on with us as believers now. However, there are many vital parallels between the two that are important to understand in order for us to grasp the significance of Hebrews 9:15Hebrews 9:15
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
15 Christ died to rescue those who had sinned and broken the old agreement. Now he brings his chosen ones a new agreement with its guarantee of God's eternal blessings!
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For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
The beginning of Hebrews 9 summarizes the plans of the tabernacle and duties of the priests and high priests during Old Testament days.There were two rooms, the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The first was open to all priests in order for them to conduct their business as intercessor for their people. The inner room, separated by a curtain, was only entered by high priests once a year for the purpose of offering a sacrifice in hopes of forgiveness for his personal sins and the sins of the people. No priest entered this room housing the Ark of the Covenant without a blood sacrifice.These rituals offered the Jewish people a chance to demonstrate obedience, to repent, and to attempt to mend their relationship with God despite their sinful nature. This old covenant with God, however, was replaced for us by His Son, Jesus, as explained in the New Testament. His coming set Jews, and all who believe, free from the restrictive laws of the old covenant.
Verses 11-14 and 23-28 particularly explain Christ’s role in the new covenant. Since God commands blood sacrifice for redemption, Christ became the ultimate high priest because he offered the ultimate blood sacrifice—his own. This act of love rids us of the bondage of ritual, and most importantly, the bondage of eternal death. As verse nine says, “he has died as a ransom.”
I love to watch police and court drama on television, and commonly on such shows, a perpetrator will kidnap a young person in hopes that their rich relatives will trade them back for a large amount of money, a ransom. Though I don’t often think of myself as a kidnapped victim, The book of Hebrews reveals that I am. I have been trapped by sin, by Satan, and by the world. My entrapment means separation from my God. However, Christ volunteered to be the ransom my kidnappers demand. My acceptance of this gift is my only chance of salvation.
Oh how I am thankful of God’s plan, how he knew I would need a rescue. Christ, as the “mediator of the new covenant” gives me the “promised eternal inheritance,” but He also gives me peace and hope. What a gracious Lord!
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