“The Blood of the Everlasting Covenant”

 

"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.”                                                                   (Hebrews 13:20)

 

What is the connection between the shed blood of Christ and the everlasting covenant? The precious blood of Christ has a fivefold connection to the covenant of grace.

 

God the Son

 

With regard to God the Son, our Savior, his blood is the fulfillment of every stipulation agreed to in the covenant. When he had finished his work of establishing righteousness for us by his life of perfect manhood, a life of total obedience to the will of God, he said to the Father, “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4). Then, when he had fully satisfied the holy wrath and justice of God, when he had fully paid our debt to God’s offended justice, when he had put away our sins, our mighty Savior cried, “It is finished,” and triumphantly breathed out his life.

 

God the Father

 

With regard to God the Father, the precious blood of Christ puts the Almighty under inescapable obligation. Having fully met all the requirements of God in the covenant, God must now (justice demands it) save every redeemed sinner, pardon every ransomed soul, and give grace and glory to all for whom atonement has been made!

 

God the Spirit

 

With regard to God the Holy Spirit, the blood of Christ is that which he sprinkles (effectually applies) to the hearts of sinners, by which he proclaims peace, and reconciliation upon the ground of sin put away, righteousness brought in, and justice satisfied (judgment finished) (John 16:8-11).

 

The Believer

 

With regard to the believing sinner, the precious blood of Christ is the solitary ground of his peace and assurance. Christ’s blood is God’s token to us for good. Do you rely entirely upon the blood of Christ for all your salvation? If you do, be at peace. Let nothing disturb you. This covenant was made for you. All its blessings are yours forever. You are one of God’s elect.

 

The Guilty Soul

 

With regard to guilty sinners, the precious blood of Christ is your only way of access to God; but this way of access is the way by which you may come to God with full assurance of faith, being confident that you are accepted at the throne of grace (Heb. 10:22).

 

Nothing in my hands I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling,

I to Thy fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, else I die!

 

        There is no remission of sins without the blood (Heb. 9:22); and there can be no condemnation with the blood (Rom. 8:1). He who died to ratify this covenant lives and reigns to enforce it (2 Sam. 23:5). He and he alone is able to save to the uttermost all who come to God by him (Heb. 7:25).