You are Under the New

And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. (Hebrews 9:15-17)

A will does not take legal effect until the person who made it dies. For a last will and testament to be valid, the testator must have passed away. While the testator is alive, the will has no power. It only becomes active after death.

This means that even in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, although those are called the New Testament, Jesus was still alive when most of it was spoken. The New Covenant was not yet legally in force. Jesus was ministering during the final days of the Old Covenant, speaking to people still under the law. Some of His words were transitional, and some were directed specifically at those present. But then He died and rose from the dead. And then something changed forever—the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom.

God moved out of a building made with human hands. The New Covenant went into full legal force, sealed by Jesus' blood, ratified by the resurrection, and activated on the day of Pentecost.

If you are saved, you are currently living in the full power and benefits of the New Covenant. Everything Jesus purchased is legally yours. Every promise in the Word is yes and amen to you. You don’t have to earn what was already paid for; you receive it by faith.

Practical Application

When you pray and believe God for something, remind yourself that this is not a request from a stranger. This is a covenant claim from a son or daughter. The New Covenant is in force. The blood is still speaking, and the Holy Spirit empowers you. Receive what belongs to you.

Hebrews 8:6; Matthew 26:28