Friday after Judica (Passion) Sunday
Posted on March 22, 2024 by under
Scripture: Hebrews 9:15-22 (NKJV)
9:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” 21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Devotion
The first covenant was of the Law, and it required full obedience to receive the benefits and not the curses. Exodus 19:5 states, “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people.” Then the Ten Commandments follow in Exodus 20. Hebrews 8:7-8 says, “For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, He says: ‘Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah’ [Jer. 31:31]”.
The second covenant was a testament, for which Christ’s death put the stipulations of the new testament into effect! Christ is our Mediator and Substitute! The Son of God willingly accepted the obligation to keep the first covenant of the Law and to bear the punishment which that Law demanded.
His keeping of the Law gives us righteousness. Romans 5:19, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” The shedding of His blood in death is counted as the fulfillment of our punishment. Galatians 3:13, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us….” In the Lord’s Supper He gives us that salvation, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood” (1 Cor. 11:25).
Collect: We beseech Thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon Thy people, that by Thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore, both in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Season of Lent
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
