The Blood of the New Covenant

Texts: Exodus 24:8; Matthew 26:28

A Covenant is a binding agreement between two or more parties. A covenant can also be called a Testament or a Will. Thus the Old and New Testaments can safely be referred to as Old and New Covenants respectively.
A covenant can be defined as a solemn commitment that involves promises and obligations undertaken by one or both covenanting parties. Although it predominantly involves divine-human commitments, it is also used for various agreements between humans (Gen 21:22-24; 1 Sam 18:3-4; 1 Sam 20:42), marriages (Mal 2:14; Pro 2:17) and in figurative sense for solemn commitments made with oneself (Job 31:1; Dan 1:.

In ancient times, the making of covenants involved the cutting or dividing of animals into two parts with the contracting parties passing between them (Jer 34:18-19). By doing this, the parties involved in the covenant are saying in essence ‘may I be torn apart like these animals if I fail to uphold my part of this covenant.’ This covenant cutting is illustrated in Gen 15 where God alone passed between the slaughtered animals while Abraham slept (Gen 15:12). This again emphasises the unilateral nature of this covenant, as well as the ultimate level of commitment involved – God putting His life in line, as it were, as guarantee.
Blood plays a significant role in the establishment of a covenant. In the Old Testament (Exodus 24:6-, the covenant was sealed with Israel through the sprinkling of blood (the blood of the covenant). This indicates that atoning sacrifices were necessary for Israel to maintain their relationship with God. The blood signified cleansing and forgiveness made possible by means of a life sacrificed to God; such sacrifices opened the way to reconciliation with God and the people’s obedience that comes from faith (Heb 9:19-22).

In the New Testament, we see the ultimate significance of the ‘blood of the covenant’. This was realised when our Lord Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross and established the new covenant (Mt 26:28; Mark 14:24). His blood is central to the New Testament concept of redemption (Eph 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2; Rev 7:14; Rev 12:11).
Our Lord Jesus Christ through the shedding of His blood accomplished the following:
i. His blood forgives the sins of all who repent and believe (Mt 26:28; Rom 5:15; Heb 9:22).
ii. His blood ransoms (redeems) all believers from the power of Satan and evil powers (Acts 20:28; Eph 1:7; 1 Pet 1:18-19; Rev 5:9).
iii. His blood justifies all who believe in Him (Rom 3:24-25).
iv. His blood cleanses the believers consciences in order to serve God without guilt in full assurance of faith (Heb 9:14; Heb 10:22; Rev 1:5).
v. His blood sanctifies the people of God (1 Cor 6:11; 1 John 1:7-10).
vi. His blood opens the way for believers to come directly before God through Him in order to find grace, mercy, help and salvation (Eph 2:13, 18; Heb 4:14-16; Heb 7:25).
vii. His blood is a guarantee of all the promises of the new covenant (Heb 13:20).
viii. The saving, reconciling and purifying power of the blood of Christ is continually appropriated to believers as they come to God through Him (Heb 7:25; Heb 10:22; 1 John 1:7).

Conclusion
1. God’s actions and relationship with man must be understood within a covenantal framework. For example the fulfillment of His promises are not automatic but based on conditions that is, if you do this, then I the Lord would in turn do that. This principle applies to all including Israelites who are the natural descendants of Abraham. Please read Deut 28:1-2; Zech 1:6; John 8:39-44; Rom 9:6.

2. The believer is in a covenant relationship with God, and his continuity in this is hinged on his fulfilling the conditions of the covenant. These conditions include his:
i. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
ii. Love for God and His Word
iii. Departure from sin and all forms of ungodliness
iv. Living a holy life
(John 14:15, 21, 23, 24; 1 Peter 1:15; Eph 1:4; Eph 4:24).

3. Obedience to Christ and His blood (Ex 24:7-8; John 6:53-56) must always be joined together to validate God’s acceptance of His people and their consecration to Him. Only after the people have pledged to obey God through the atoning blood will they participate in the covenant blessings (1 Pet 1:2).

Think on these and it shall be well with you as you obey the voice of the Holy Spirit. Till we meet again on this platform, remain blessed in JESUS’ name, Amen.


I encourage you to watch the YouTube messages of the following Ministers of the Gospel: Leonard Ravenhill; David Wilkerson; Zac Poonen; Gbile Akanni; Keith Daniel and Samson Jebutu.

If you have not given your life to the Lord Jesus Christ but desire to do so, please do the following for you to commit your life to the Lord.
A - Acknowledge that you are a sinner and has fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23).
B - Believe that the blood of Jesus Christ is able to cleanse you from all unrighteousness and redeem you from all iniquity and purify you unto Himself (Romans 4:25; Galatians 1:4; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 9:14).
C - Confess your sins to God and ask for His forgiveness. Invite Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, while asking His Holy Spirit to come into you (1 John 1:8-9; Psalm 32:5; John 20:22).
D - Determine to live a holy life by asking the Lord for deliverance from sin and grace to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts. But to live soberly and righteously in this world because as He Who has called you is holy so you have to be holy (John 1:12-13; Titus 2:11-12; Ephesians 1:4; Ephesians 4:24; 1 Peter 1: 14-16).