SUMMARY
While the law of MosesProphet who led Israel out of Egypt to the Promised Land and received the law at Sinai More calls for ongoing sacrifices, Christ offered one sacrificeSacrifice is commonly understood as the practice of offering or giving up something as a sign of worship, commitment, or obedience. In the Old Testament grain, wine, or animals are used as sacrifice. In some New Testament writings Jesus' death on the cross as the... More in his death. This offering is effective for all time.
ANALYSIS
The covenantA covenant is a promise or agreement. In the Bible the promises made between God and God's people are known as covenants; they state or imply a relationship of commitment and obedience. More under Moses prescribed sacrifices that were made repeatedly for sins. JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity More, however, offered a single sacrifice when he was crucified, raised, and exalted to heavenly glory. This means that Jesus’ sacrifice is unique in that it will never be repeated. Hebrews identifies Jesus’ sacrificial death as the means by which God inaugurates the new covenantBecause Israel had broken the old covenant, the prophet Jeremiah declared that God would establish a new covenant, one that would be written on the heart. The New Testament is often referred to as the New Covenant because Jesus came to fulfill the law and... More, which provides abundant mercyMercy is a term used to describe leniency or compassion. God's mercy is frequently referred to or invoked in both the Old and New Testaments. More for people (JeremiahProphet who condemned Judah's infidelity to God, warned of Babylonian conquest, and promised a new covenant More 31:31-43). Since Jesus’ sacrifice is the definitive offering for sin, no further sacrifices are needed. Readers can trust that in Jesus they see the one who brings God’s purposes to their completion. Those seeking forgiveness can turn to him, knowing that he provides the mercy needed for life with God.
The new covenant is inaugurated by the death of Jesus, which offers a complete and final source of atonement for people. Yet not all of the provisions of the covenant are fully in place. The new covenant promises that people will no longer need to teach one another to know the Lord, yet the author of Hebrews clearly recognizes that teaching is still needed (5:12). The new covenant is also to inscribe God’s will on human hearts, yet Hebrews assumes that the human heart is far from perfect (3:12). The new covenant is inaugurated by Christ but its complete realization will come only in the future.
