What law should we be obeying? This has been the cause of great confusion today in the life of many Christians. The question is rightfully asked: what place does the Mosaic Law have in the lives of New Testament believers? Let it be known, here, that the words "testament" and "covenant" can be used interchangeably; the Old Testament and the Old Covenant, the New Testament and the New Covenant are synonymous. Remember, both testaments tell the story of the SAME GOD.
Let's first consider the old law, or Mosaic Covenant. Also called the Levitical Law, it originates with Levi, son of Jacob, later called Israel. Moses was of the tribe of Levi. When God delivered the law on Mount Sinai, he "marked" the Levites as the tribe responsible for the primary religious duties. It started with the Ten Commandments, but the whole law encompasses 613 laws. But, in Galations 3:19, Paul makes the statement that the "law was added because of transgression". To save time, I will not venture into what was before the Mosaic Law. Suffice it to note that "transgression" and "sin" have basically the same meaning. "Sin" implies that there was a law already in effect. What was that law? (feel free to study this mystery out). The Mosaic Law is compromised of three parts: 1) the Ten Commandments 2) the ordinances, and 3) the worship system or performances. As difficult as it was trying to live the old covenant, I believe that God had 5 things in mind with the institution of the law. First, it was to set Israel apart as distinct from other nations. Second, it was to reveal the holy character of God. Thirdly, it was to reveal the sinfulness of men. Fourth, it was to provide forgiveness through sacrifice and offerings. And, lastly, it was to reveal that NO ONE could whole keep the law. How fittingly, that the last word of the Old Testament summarizes the whole law: "curse".
Now notice the first words of the New Testament: "the generations of Jesus Christ'. From Genesis on, the Old Testament pointed TOWARD the Messiah, while the New Testament describes the fulfillment of God's promises THROUGH the Messiah. Let's take a short look at the new covenant. Jeremiah 31:31-34 reads: "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah; Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith the Lord; But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." For cross reference purposes, read also Ezekiel 36:24-28. In these two scriptures, the Lord is revealing the power of the new covenant: an INWARD change made possible by the Holy Spirit. Consider also the insight granted in the book of Zechariah. Among the remnant of Israel that left Babylon, there were two special men, representing two great families of the former kingdom. Zerubbabel, who represented the royal line through King David, and Joshua, who represented the priestly line through Aaron. In the vision, given to Zechariah in chapter 4, these two men are noted as "anointed ones", which interpreted means "sons of oil", men of the Spirit, who would not only lead Israel, but become the embodiment of the one who is to come. In chapter 6, the Lord commands Zechariah to make a crown of silver and gold. He then was told to place it upon the head of, not Zerubbabel, the royal line, but on Joshua, while uttering the words "behold, the man". The crown was then set aside, to be an ornament in the temple, and serve as a reminder of what was to come: Jesus the Messiah, who would take his place as King, and High Priest, incorporating both lines so that he could rule, and administer at the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies.
This brings us to two critical points that made the changing of law necessary. First, Jesus could not be a Priest in the Mosaic Law; Jesus was of the tribe of Judah, not Levi. In Hebrews, chapter 7, Paul makes note of this. "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood." Paul goes on to state how Jesus obtained this priesthood "Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek", and that Jesus was established a High Priest by an "Oath of God." The second critical point why the old law had to be changed is that the old law had NO power to save anyone. As mentioned earlier, the old law was to REVEAL our sin. Like a mirror, we can see ourselves as clean, dirty, dapper, or filthy, but the mirror CAN NOT remove our sin, or change our nature. To this point, Paul states in Galations 3 that "Wherefore then, the law was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made in the law given to Moses, who was ordained by the hand of angels to be a mediator of this first covenant, (the law.)" Notice the word "till" or "until". This word acknowledges that the old law was only temporary. "till the seed should come" refers to the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. The old law had mercy with the mercy seat, and offered forgiveness through sacrifice at the Altar, but, offered no cure for our sinful nature. The Mosaic Law was only meant to be a type and shadow; of things to come. Created to lead men to Christ, that they might all be justified by faith in Christ.
So, what makes the New Covenant better? It's better because Jesus' sacrifice was better. It allows him to make continual intercession for his people. It is better because Jesus was sinless, and needed no other means to atone for His sin. He is HOLY. Better, because He lives eternally, at the right hand of our Father, to minister in the Holy of Holies continuously, where the Levitical priesthood could only enter once a year. This caused John the beloved to state of Christ "For the law was given through Moses, but life and truth came through Jesus Christ." Jesus himself stated "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." "The new has come, and the old had passed away" are the words that best fit this post. I pray that the Lord may bless your lives with a new light that dispels the darkness, that His light might shine through you into a dark world that needs the hope of Jesus. God bless.
