“Therefore, he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. Where a will exists, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will is valid only when people die, since it is never in effect while the one who made it is living. That is why even the first covenant was inaugurated with blood. For when every command had been proclaimed by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll itself and all the people, saying, This is the blood of the covenant that God has ordained for you. In the same way, he sprinkled the tabernacle and all the articles of worship with blood. According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:15-22 CSB
Today I want to start with a question, do you know what Jesus’s last will was? Sadly, it was not prosperity, and it was not for you to have a successful and happy life here on earth. It was not for your burdens to suddenly disappear and for you to become an instant success. None of those is true. The eternal inheritance with which the author is reminding us is, “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent — Jesus Christ.” John 17:3
If you want to understand further Jesus’s last will, which Jesus established through His death, read John chapters 15-17. Here you will find His final will laid out clearly.
The death and spilling of the blood of Jesus are what our faith, covenant and understanding of God are established. The blood is what we build our lives and communities around. In today’s Christianity, many plead the blood to instigate miraculous power, some to gain wealth and authority on earth, others that they may continue to live the same style of life as those who do not follow Jesus (hyper-grace). Sadly the Blood of Jesus was spilt so that we may have forgiveness and, therefore, get to know the only true God and the one who died for us, Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Understand this, Jesus died so that we get to be unified (as He is in perfect unity to God, NOT a free for all unifying with everyone despite people choosing not to walk the narrow path of Jesus), endure suffering, get to know God and Jesus and to be forgiven from our sins. He desired to build family and community. His heart’s desire is why when He walked on Earth, the focus of His ministry was not teaching in temples. No, it was within people’s homes, restoring the sinners to a life of holiness. It was building family and community that worked together to help those in need. Jesus did not make His life here on earth about miracles, prophesying over people, excellent church services, legalistic ways of living or integrating into the corruption and sin of the world. No, Jesus came to restore a people to the Father and give us all an opportunity of eternal life through knowing God and, therefore, being set free from sin and getting to live a life of holiness as His family and chosen people.
Today I provoke you to spend the day reading John chapters 15-17 and reflect on the truth of your walk. Are you fulfilling Jesus’s last will, or are you creating your desires and labelling it with the precious blood of our Lord?
