“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1
The prophet Jeremiah, quoted in our Hebrews reading, told of the coming of the new covenant whereby God would no longer relate to His people through stone tablets—an external set of commandments—but would give His standards written on the hearts of His people.
Covenants were always sealed with the blood of a sacrifice. At the Last Supper Jesus said of the cup of wine, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). He died and rose again so we might be cleansed from our sin and so He could pour out His Holy Spirit into us.
Yes, we must obey God and His commandments. But we do this by relating to Him now in our hearts through our new relationship with Jesus, not through a system of legal requirements (see 2 Corinthians 3:3). Jesus alone kept the whole law of God for us. In deep gratitude, we look to Him and want to please Him. He offers rest from our weariness, urging us to come to Him because “my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30).
Covenants were always sealed with the blood of a sacrifice. At the Last Supper Jesus said of the cup of wine, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). He died and rose again so we might be cleansed from our sin and so He could pour out His Holy Spirit into us.
Yes, we must obey God and His commandments. But we do this by relating to Him now in our hearts through our new relationship with Jesus, not through a system of legal requirements (see 2 Corinthians 3:3). Jesus alone kept the whole law of God for us. In deep gratitude, we look to Him and want to please Him. He offers rest from our weariness, urging us to come to Him because “my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30).
Scripture Focus
Hebrews 8:6-10
Insight
Try to grasp how great a burden Jesus has lifted from us by releasing us from anxiety that comes when we fall short of God’s laws.
Bible In A Year
- Genesis 8-9
- Psalm 4
- Matthew 6-7
