The New Covenant: Our Inheritance in Christ

Introduction: The Fall and the Promise

In the stillness of the Garden of Eden, where life was perfect and unmarred, a single act shattered the harmony between God and His creation. Adam and Eve, swayed by the serpent’s cunning words, reached out and took the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The bite was more than just disobedience; it was a breach in the divine covenant, a fracture that echoed throughout all of creation.

But in the midst of this tragedy, God’s voice rang out with both judgment and a glimmer of hope. He spoke to the serpent, declaring the first promise of redemption:

"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel." (Genesis 3:15, NKJV)

This was the first foreshadowing of a Redeemer—one who would rise from the seed of the woman, delivering a fatal blow to the serpent, though He Himself would suffer.

The Covenants: A Divine Blueprint

As the centuries passed, God’s redemption plan unfolded through a series of covenants, each one revealing more of His divine blueprint.

1. The Covenant with Noah: The earth was corrupt, and filled with violence, and God sent a flood to cleanse it. Yet, in His mercy, He spared Noah and his family, establishing a covenant with them. The sign of this promise was a rainbow, a symbol of God’s faithfulness to never again destroy the earth by water.

   “I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.” (Genesis 9:13, NKJV)

2. The Covenant with Abraham: God called Abraham, promising that through his descendants, all the nations of the earth would be blessed. This was a covenant of faith, pointing forward to the coming Messiah, who would be a blessing to all people.

   “In your seed, all the nations of the earth shall be blessed because you have obeyed My voice.” (Genesis 22:18, NKJV)

3. The Mosaic Covenant: On Mount Sinai, God gave Moses the Law—a moral and ceremonial code to guide His people. While the Law revealed humanity’s inability to achieve righteousness on its own, it also pointed to the need for a Savior who would fulfill it perfectly.

   “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.” (Exodus 19:5, NKJV)

4. The Davidic Covenant: To David, God promised an everlasting kingdom, a throne that would endure forever. This covenant pointed directly to Jesus Christ, the Son of David, who would reign eternally.

   “Your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16, NKJV)

The Prophets: Voices of Hope and Warning

As Israel’s history unfolded, the prophets emerged as God’s messengers, calling the people back to Him while also pointing to the future hope of a coming Savior.

• Isaiah: He saw visions of the Suffering Servant, the One who would bear the sins of the world, bringing salvation through His sacrifice.

  “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes, we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, NKJV)

• Jeremiah: He spoke of a new covenant, a time when God’s law would be written on the hearts of His people, and their sins would be forgiven forever.

  “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” (Jeremiah 31:33, NKJV)

• Ezekiel: He prophesied of a time when God would give His people a new heart and a new spirit, reviving them from their spiritual deadness.

  “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26, NKJV)

The Fulfillment: Christ, the Lamb of God

In the fullness of time, God’s promise was fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Born of a virgin, He walked the earth, healing the sick, raising the dead, and proclaiming the Kingdom of God. But the ultimate purpose of His coming was revealed on the cross.

• The Cross: On Calvary, Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, bore the weight of the world’s sin. As He hung on the cross, the serpent’s head was crushed, though His heel was bruised. His sacrifice was the fulfillment of the redemption plan, the moment when heaven and earth collided, and the chasm of sin was bridged.

  “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” (John 19:30, NKJV)

• The Resurrection: Three days later, the tomb was found empty. Jesus had risen, defeating death and confirming the victory He had won. The resurrection was the exclamation point on the redemption plan, the undeniable proof that sin’s power was broken.

  “He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee.” (Luke 24:6, NKJV)

The New Covenant: A Kingdom Unshakable

With the resurrection of Jesus, a new covenant was established—one not based on the Law, but on grace. This covenant is the cornerstone of the Gospel, offering eternal life to all who believe in Christ. The Holy Spirit, given as a seal of this covenant, empowers believers to live out the redemption won for them.

“Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.’'* (Luke 22:20, NKJV)

Conclusion: The Awaited Return

But the story of redemption is not yet complete. The Bible promises that Jesus will return, not as a suffering servant, but as a conquering King. On that day, the full restoration of creation will be realized, and every tear will be wiped away. The Kingdom of God will be fully established, and the redeemed will dwell with Him forever. 

“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.’” (Revelation 21:3, NKJV)

God’s promise of salvation is a divine narrative woven through the fabric of history, culminating in the person of Jesus Christ and extending into eternity. As we await His return, we live in the light of His redemption, holding fast to the promise that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.