Today's thought - 15 July 2026 (Old and New)

 

Today we are looking at the old and the new. Hebrews 8 starts with these words, “Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honour beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven”.

My scripture comes from Ezekiel 43 which primarily describes the return of the glory of the Lord to a restored, ideal temple. It serves as a powerful symbol of divine presence, ultimate restoration, and the necessity of holiness and proper worship after a period of severe judgment and exile.

Now Christian theology often interprets this passage typologically and eschatologically. The return of God's glory and the sacrificial cleansing of the altar are viewed as shadows pointing to the fulfilment found in Jesus Christ, who became the ultimate sacrifice and the ultimate "temple" where God dwells with humanity. It is also widely read as a prophecy pointing toward the ultimate fulfilment of God's kingdom. 

Hebrews 8 ends with, “When God speaks of a “new” covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear”.

The “temple” is measured in detail in Ezekiel 41 – 43 and we see how much detail goes into the building itself. It concludes where the people are guided in the sacrifices that needs to be made for their cleansing and how many days this had to continue before it is over.

Here in Hebrews 8 God says that the old law and the old covenant are now replaced by the new covenant. The new temple, the new high priest and the new path to righteousness. It all comes down to John 14:6 where Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”.

My dear friend when Jesus came, He changed everything. He literally brought Isaiah 61 to life in, “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners”.

Because “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death”. (Romans 8).

Why am I saying this to you today? I want to remind you that nothing the enemy can bring against you will stand. Jesus is the new covenant that removed sin and destroyed death and satan. In Him lies true forgiveness and true healing. He is the one who became sin, so we do not have to carry this burden and the old covenant that kept this burden on us is no more and we stand in this new covenant. Now God is not distant but literally in us and He made His dwelling place in us through the Holy Spirit that lives in us.

When I walked out of the Family Advocates office I walked with faith knowing that in this covenant, I have a High Priest sitting on the right hand of my Father interceding for me. He states my case and pleads for me so that this battle can end and I will have victory by the power of the Holy Spirit that works in me and through me.

That is why we can say with confidence that no weapon formed against us will prosper and God goes before us to fight on our behalf. He will step in and He will vindicate us. We are no longer bound by the old way, but we stand in victory and authority in the new way in in this way is life and life in abundance.

So, do not fear or be discouraged but know that Jesus says “Look, I am making everything new!” and He will fight for you and His peace that surpasses all understanding will come over you, because He has already overcome this world. Come with me today as we totally surrender all that we face and struggle with to Him and then stand with me in faith, knowing He hears our prayers and He will answer them, because if you ask it and you believe it, it will be done.

Have an awesome day, my friend.