He is the mediator of a New Covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first Covenant.
Hebrews 9:15

Under the previous arrangement that we call the Old Covenant (the Old Testament), the approach to God was based upon a series of rituals and sacrifices which foreshadowed the perfect sacrifice finally made by Christ Himself. The Old Covenant was a relationship based on our obedience to God’s Law.

But the new covenant that the Lord Jesus set up is based on God’s forgiveness, already paid for by the Lord Himself. My relationship with God, under this new arrangement, begins with Him forgiving my sin and opening the way for me to approach and draw near to Him in spite of all my sins and failures.

Under this new arrangement God treats me like His own child, loved by my Heavenly Father, and I’m promised an inheritance, an eternal home in heaven, being prepared for me.

I’m forgiven not just for my failure to fulfill all the rites and rituals of religion, but even for my abject moral failure to be a truly good and perfect person.

God’s forgiveness for Jesus’ sake is the baseline of our relationship, and it grows from there.

Lord Jesus, thank You for knowing my failures and still accepting me in Your Kingdom. Your forgiveness, paid for ahead of time, makes it possible - and You know how much I need it. Now, keep me close, Lord, as we move on from here. Amen!

Pastor Dan Giles