Making It Real for His People

Devotion

“Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises”

— Hebrews 8:6

Christ is the Mediator of a new covenant, according to Hebrews 8:6. What does that mean? It means that his blood — the blood of the covenant (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 13:20) — finally and decisively purchased and secured the fulfillment of God’s promises for us.

It means that God, according to the new covenant promises, brings about our inner transformation by the Spirit of Christ.

And it means that God works this transformation in us through faith — faith in all that God is for us in Christ.

The new covenant is purchased by the blood of Christ, effected by the Spirit of Christ, and appropriated by faith in Christ.

The best place to see Christ working as the Mediator of the new covenant is in Hebrews 13:20–21:

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The words “working in us that which is pleasing in his sight” describe what happens when God writes the law on our hearts in accord with the new covenant. And the words “through Jesus Christ” describe Jesus as the Mediator of this glorious work of sovereign grace.

So, the meaning of Christmas is not only that God replaces shadows with Reality, but also that he takes the Reality and makes it real to his people. He writes it on our hearts. He does not lay his Christmas gift of salvation and transformation under the tree, so to speak, for you to pick up in your own strength. He picks it up and puts it in your heart and in your mind and gives you the seal of assurance that you are a child of God.

©Desiring God. Making It Real for His People | Desiring God

Prayer

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This was the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.”

— John 1:14-16

Dear Lord Jesus, through there’s no Mary or manger, shepherds or angels in John’s account of your birth, but there is most definitely you. You’re are the only “star” on the horizon in this nativity scene, and how you shine.

We praise you for becoming flesh and “tabernacling” among us, in the fullness of time. Though equal to, yet distinct from the Father, you didn’t consider your glory something to be tightly grasped, or held onto selfishly. Rather, you emptied yourself by becoming a man—but not just any ordinary man, but a servant-man, the Servant of the Lord, the second Adam—our Savior.

In your thirty-three years of incarnate life, you accomplished everything necessary for the redemption of your beloved Bride, and the restoration of the world you love. We magnify and adore, worship and love you, Lord Jesus. What a wonderful, merciful Savior you are. You are so mighty to save and quick to redeem.

We should sing, “Joy to the World” year round, for you are presently ruling the world with your grace and truth—the grace and truth of which you are full. You are making the nations prove the wonders of your love, as the gospel runs from heart to heart and nation to nation.

From the fullness of your grace we keep receiving one blessing after another, and one blessing on top of another: The gift of your imputed righteousness, the perpetual favor of God, your steadfast intercession and advocacy, citizenship in heaven, the work of the Spirit in our lives—the assurance that one Day we will see you as you are, and we will be made like you. Hallelujah, many times over! Joy to the world, indeed! So very Amen we pray, in your near and exalted name.