One Story. One Savior.

How would you explain the difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant?

For some Christians, that question can get complicated quickly - especially when someone starts bringing up sacrifices, dietary restrictions and ceremonial laws from the Old Testament.

But it doesn’t have to be complicated.

A covenant is a binding relationship established through promises and commitments. A contract, on the other hand, is mainly about exchanging services. A biblical covenant is relational where God binds Himself to His people and tells them how they are to live in relationship with Him.

Lately, we have been teaching through the Book of Hebrews, and the author can hardly speak one sentence without referencing the Old Testament! He continually talks about priests, sacrifices, covenants, the tabernacle and the Law.

Why? Because you cannot fully understand what Jesus accomplished in the New Covenant without understanding what the Old Covenant was pointing toward!

The Old Covenant was established between God and Israel through Moses at Mount Sinai. It included the Law, the priesthood, sacrifices and ceremonies.

The New Covenant was promised by God and established through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.” - Jeremiah 31:31 Here is the main thing to remember:

The Bible isn’t two competing stories where God changed His mind halfway through. It is one story with one Hero and his name is Jesus.

The Old Covenant Pointed Forward

First, we must acknowledge that the Old Covenant was good because it came from God. It revealed His holiness, exposed humanity’s sin and showed people their need for forgiveness - BUT it was never the final destination!

The Law could reveal sin, but it could not remove sin.

Now, you still might be asking, “Why were there so many laws?” Seriously, didn’t the Old Testament forbid people from wearing clothing made from two different materials? Is it a sin to wear cashmere and cotton?

Well, not exactly, but close! Deuteronomy 22:11 specifically prohibited Israel from wearing wool and linen woven together! But the larger question remains: Why did God give Israel laws like this in the first place?

Here is where we need to understand there were 3 Types of Laws:

• Moral laws revealed God’s standards concerning right and wrong. Commands against murder, adultery, stealing and idolatry reflect God’s holy character. These moral truths continue to be affirmed throughout the New Testament. Jesus brings clarity and fulfillment to them. (Check his Sermon on the Mount!)

• Civil laws governed Israel as a nation. They addressed property, restitution, crime, courts and Israel’s life together under the covenant. The Church is not the political nation of Israel, therefore we do not enforce Israel’s civil code as the law of the land today.

• Ceremonial laws governed Israel’s worship and ritual purity. They included sacrifices, dietary restrictions, festivals, cleansing rituals, priests and regulations concerning the tabernacle and temple. 

  
  

These ceremonial practices were sacred and purposeful - but they were never meant to be permanent. So you are good to wear that wool and linen and maybe even eat a pork chop sandwich! (Watch that sodium though, I must say!)

They were shadows pointing toward Jesus: “These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.”- Colossians 2:17

Even the earthly priests could only enter God’s presence temporarily - they could not provide permanent access. The sacrifices could cover sin ceremonially, but they had to be offered again and again because they could not remove sin permanently.

“For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities…” - Hebrews 10:1

The Old Covenant contained shadows that pointed toward Someone greater:

• The sacrifices pointed to the Lamb of God.

• The priesthood pointed to our Great High Priest.

• The Passover pointed to Christ, our Passover Lamb.

• The tabernacle pointed to God dwelling with His people.

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The Old Testament is the shadow, but Jesus is the substance.

Jesus didn’t cancel the Old Testament, but he did complete it!

“I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”- Matthew 5:17

Every sacrifice.Every priest. Every feast. Every promise.

Every page was preparing the world for Him!

The New Covenant Provides What the Old Anticipated!

Under the Old Covenant, sacrifices were offered repeatedly. Under the New Covenant, Jesus offered Himself once for all.

“But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” - Hebrews 10:12

• What the Old Covenant promised - Jesus accomplished. He sat down.

• The Old Covenant provided shadows - Jesus brought the substance.

• The Old Covenant prepared the way - Jesus became the Way.

We don’t offer anymore sacrifices because Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient. We don’t depend upon an earthly priest to gain access to God because Jesus is our Great High Priest. We don’t serve to gain access - Jesus has already given us access!

Three Ways to Read the Old Testament

I want to leave you with a simple guide to help you as you study the Old Testament. My prayer is that you will become more and more excited about ALL of God’s Word - not only the familiar passages or the parts you naturally enjoy, but every page of Scripture.

Because when we learn how to read the Old Testament through the lens of Christ, those unfamiliar laws, sacrifices and stories begin to come alive. We start seeing that the whole Bible has been telling one story and pointing to one Savior all along.

1. Ask what you’re reading reveals about God.

Look for God’s holiness, justice, mercy and faithfulness. The covenant may change, but God’s character does not.

“For I the LORD do not change…” Malachi 3:6a

2. Ask how the scriptures point toward Jesus.

“The law was our guardian until Christ came.”  - Galatians 3:24

Remember, the Law was never the end goal. It was a guide leading us to Christ.

Jesus explained this during His conversation with two disciples on the road to Emmaus:

“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” - Luke 24:27

Jesus showed them that the entire Old Testament had been pointing to Him all along!

Side note: This understanding has shaped my preaching for years. Whenever I prepare to teach, I have to ask myself: Is what I’m teaching truly Christ-centered? Am I helping people see Jesus in the text?

But that’s a blog post for another day!

3. Allow the New Testament to explain the Old.

When you read about Passover, remember Jesus is our Passover Lamb.

When you read about the priesthood, please, please read Hebrews!

When you read about sacrifices, never forget John’s words: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” - John 1:29

And here is another really good one - The Sabbath. Again remember, the Law was never the end goal. It was a guide leading us to Christ. This is why Jesus reminded the religious leaders:

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” —Mark 2:27

In other words, God did not create people to serve a rule. He gave the Sabbath as a gift to serve people - a rhythm of rest that ultimately points us to the deeper gift of rest found in Christ,  our salvation.

So don’t get trapped arguing over shadows - SHOW people the Savior!

The shadows were never meant to save us. They were meant to point us to Jesus!

One story. One Savior. Just read.

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Chris