The Gospel of Jesus Christ ushered in the New Covenant, as foretold by the Hebrew prophets. Christ fulfilled ancient prophecies. The atoning death of the Saviour on the cross established the New Covenant by His blood and brought eternal salvation to humanity, available to those who believe. Christ wore the crown of thorns on the way to the cross so that we might receive the crown of eternal life.

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The Cross, the Crown and the Covenant

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​After the mock trial of Jesus, in which ironically a criminal was released in the place of the One who would die for the sins of humanity, the Son of God was beaten and humiliated—and crucified. This was to fulfil the prophecy of the Suffering Servant who was punished for our peace (Isaiah 53). Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-3). It was the divine exchange: the innocent One died for the guilty ones. He was crucified between two sinners for whom He died. Christ came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). They put a robe on him and placed a crown of thorns on His head before leading Him to be crucified. They killed the Prince of life, yet death couldn't hold Him. They mocked Jesus as 'the King of the Jews,' yet little did they realise that He was the King of the universe. The rulers who condemned Him acted in ignorance, yet fulfilled the purpose of God to bring about salvation (Acts 3:13-18; 1 Corinthians 2:8). The cross is the divine confrontation with evil. Jesus took it all upon Himself so that those who believe in Him can reap the benefits—all of God's blessings. The crown Jesus carried to the cross ushered in the New Covenant—and gave people the opportunity to receive the crown of eternal life. This was to demonstrate the love of God and fulfil ancient prophecy. 

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Jeremiah the prophet spoke of a time when God would establish a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). In his predictive words of God's plan of salvation, there is a contrast with the old covenant God had made with His people through Moses, God's covenant 'which they broke' although God was committed to them (v 32). The breaking of that covenant had brought Israel into Babylonian captivity. Despite human failure, God's faithfulness would remain. This is God's nature. But a New Covenant was necessary, in which God's law would be written on the hearts of His people and in their minds. This would mark them out as God's people (v 33). The Law of God on tablets of stone is of no effect unless it's written on our hearts and we understand it with our minds. There is an internalisation of God's Word that would enable God's people to know God, beyond being taught by others (v 34a). The forgiveness of sin was to be another key aspect of the New Covenant (v 34b). Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, Paul wrote (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4). The atoning work of Christ was in fulfilment with Jeremiah's prophecy of the New Covenant. The contrast is in that the Old was human and imperfect, yet the New would be divine and perfect. Jesus alluded to it when quoting from a similar prophecy: 'and they shall all be taught by God' (John 6:45; Isaiah 54:13). Jeremiah's New Covenant prophecy affirmed that 'they all shall know Me [God]' (Jeremiah 31:34). The contrast here is being taught by men and being taught directly by God. Jesus came to reveal and explain the Father (John 1:18). The One who came from God/Heaven is the One who has seen Him and who brought eternal life to those who believe (John 6:46-47). Figuratively speaking, Jesus is the 'bread of life' (v 48) and the 'living bread' (v 51) from Heaven, speaking of true substance and sustenance for life and beyond. Man doesn't live by bread alone, but by the very words coming from God. Christ's words are the words of eternal life (John 6:68).

 

The writer to the Hebrew believers would explain the New Covenant in more detail, focusing especially on yon the last part of the prophecy: the forgiveness of sins. In his epistle, the author demonstrates how Jesus as God's Son is preeminent to all those who went before him, even superior to prophets and angels. God speaks through His Son to us (1:1-2). He is Creator, came to redeem us from our sins and now sits at God's right hand as Ruler of all things (vv 3-4, 13). He is God's Son (v 5) with the royal sceptre of God's righteousness of His Kingdom (v 8). Christ came to release us from death and the fear of it (2:14-15). He is of the divine, eternal order of priesthood (5:6), who has no need to first cleanse Himself before offering the atoning sacrifices for others. He is the perfect High Priest and the blameless sacrifice. He offered it to God in the heavenly sanctuary in order to gain eternal salvation for all of humanity. This covenant is based on better promises and He who promised them is faithful (10:19-23). It is the 'new and living way' to receive forgiveness from God and reconciliation with God. The New Covenant for the forgiveness of sins by a blameless sacrifice offered by the perfect High Priest would not only cleanse externally, but also internally (9:11-15). Christ's sacrifice cleanses our guilty conscience (v 14). Further more, no longer have sacrifices to be offered annually, but Christ's sacrifice was offered once and for all (vv 16-28) to establish 'eternal redemption' (v 12) with 'the promise of an eternal inheritance' (v 15). We are now to offer sacrifices of praise and good works in order to glorify God and serve humanity around us (13:15-16). We are to be a living sacrifice, glorifying God through a renewed life according to His will (Romans 12:1-2) with the gifts God has given us (vv 3-8) and a lifestyle that reflects the nature of Christ (vv 9-21).

 

The author of Hebrews makes the point that if the first (Mosaic) covenant, was faultless, there was no need for a new one (Hebrews 8:7). He quotes the words of Jeremiah (vv 8-12) with the explanation that something wasn't perfect (v 8a). The Mosaic Covenant was from God, yet due to human failure to keep it, a New Covenant was needed. This is the covenant of salvation in Christ, to live a life pleasing to God in the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-4). Christ's work of redemption is the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant with the blessings God had promised through the father of faith (Galatians 3:13-14). The author to the Hebrews concludes that with the establishment of the New Covenant, the old is fading away as obsolete (Hebrews 8:13). The specific context in the letter relates to the sacrificial aspect for the forgiveness of sins. The blood of Jesus is the means of forgiveness and salvation (Ephesians 1:7). No longer the blood of animals offered by human priests, but the precious blood of Jesus, the unblemished Lamb of God is what matters (1 Peter 1:18-19). He not only died as a sacrifice for sin, but God raised Him from the dead. Hence, our faith and hope are in God (v 21). The New Covenant is eternal and perfect, established by the blood of Jesus, Son of God and Saviour of the world.​

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