Moses gave the Israelites a COVENANT of law

Key Bible Reference: Exodus 19-Deuteronomy 34

After the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt, God made a covenant with the Israelites, not Christians, primarily through the Ten Commandments, but the Old Covenant encompassed many other laws as well.  The Ten Commandments were recorded on stone tablets, preserved in the Ark of the Covenant, which is a gold-covered box, and affirmed by the blood of animals.  The focus was “thou shall not” and was intended to reveal man’s sin and need for a Savior.   Those who obeyed were blessed and those who disobeyed were cursed.  However, God knew the people could not obey the laws perfectly, so He instituted animal sacrifices to provide temporary forgiveness and blessings when they sinned.

Jesus gave us a COVENANT of love

Key Bible Reference: Acts 1-2; Hebrews 8-10

After Jesus died, rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven, all who accept Jesus as their Savior become heirs to the New Covenant which is totally dependent on Jesus.  The New Covenant is written on our hearts, stored in our minds and made effective by the perfect blood of Jesus.  God loves us so much that Jesus left His Heavenly throne to die as our perfect and permanent sacrifice to redeem us from the curse of the law. When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain of the physical temple that protected the Ark of the Old Covenant was torn.  The torn curtain symbolizes our immediate and direct access to God for those who choose to be purified by the blood of Jesus. Through Jesus, our sins are permanently forgiven, we have eternal life, the curse is reversed, and we have the blessings of God!

Connecting the Old & New Testament

Receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior and be an heir to the New COVENANT of Christians where Jesus says “I will” because I love you.

CONTINUE READING…Puzzle Piece 6: Leaders