New Covenant Blessings
July 23
Paul wrote both of his letters to the Corinthian church in the mid-50s, with his second letter written about one year after his first. He says that they know him very well, so he doesn’t need any recommendation letters. In fact, he says that they are his letters, written with the Holy Spirit on their hearts. (2 Corinthians 3:2–3) Paul reminds them that his authority doesn’t come from his own credentials, but rather from God Himself. (2 Corinthians 3:5–6)
Paul identifies some of the blessings of the New Covenant, not limited to direct access to God. He says that, unlike the Old Covenant, where the people had to go through Moses as a mediator. When Moses served as the mediator between God and His people, the Jewish people’s hearts were hardened. And Paul says that even in his time, when the Scriptures were read, the hearts of the Jewish people were hardened. However, when someone turns to Jesus in faith, they can appeal to Him directly. (2 Corinthians 3:14–16)
Application
Under the New Covenant, the only mediator between God and His people is Jesus, God’s Son. (2 Corinthians 3:14–16) We don’t have to go through a priest or anyone else. We have direct access! Anytime we need access to God, all we have to do is approach Him in prayer. As adopted children, our loving Father is there. (Romans 8:15) We don’t have to wait until we are in a crisis. He’s there anytime, every time.