The Friday after Judica (Passion) Sunday
Posted on March 27, 2026 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
There are two covenants (or testaments) in the Scriptures: the old covenant given through Moses, and the new covenant revealed in Jesus Christ. The first covenant was focused on the Law and it included all the ceremonies and civil laws of Moses. The new covenant is focused on the Gospel. John 1:17, “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
The people could not keep the requirements of the old covenant. While the Israelites assured Moses that they would obey everything in it (Ex. 24:3), this promise was broken almost as soon as it was made. The people needed forgiveness for breaking the covenant, but the laws of that covenant could not provide this forgiveness to them. Hebrews 10:4, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.”
The new covenant replaced the old covenant, providing God’s fulfillment of all that Moses had written. In the new covenant God is the sole actor. The promises of the Gospel are not dependent upon our obedience; they are given to us by grace. Likewise, there is forgiveness for our sins. The first covenant gave shadows and types of redemption; the new covenant reveals Jesus Christ as our true Redeemer: “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.”
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.
