It’s important to realize that the new covenant as the
scripture says is better than the old. It is better not just because it is new
and we don’t have to physically kill ram and goats. It’s better mainly because
it was struck between the Godhead and the man Jesus Christ. This agreement
which is first and foremost infallible has different terms and conditions for
the beneficiaries of it.
When you look closely at the law of Moses you will notice the
exclusivity of it. First of all it was for the Jews and not the gentiles even
though many today still clamour for its observance to qualify your salvation. Though
the Bible says it differently.
“Now we know that
whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law,…” Romans 3:19a
Because
of the nature of the law and how it was introduced, a careful study would
reveal to you the essence of it. It was
man’s attempt to prove to be as good and holy as God in order to measure up to
His standards.
That
demanded perfection in everything. No form of defect or imperfection was
tolerated to the point that the priests who ministered must be examined and
certain classes of people could not come close to the sanctuary.
Your
imperfection was a point for disqualification in the ministry of the Old
covenant. It wasn’t only just sin but you also had to be perfect in body.
Let’s
see Leviticus 21:16
16 The LORD spoke to Moses: 17 “Tell Aaron,
‘No man from your descendants throughout their generations who has a physical
flaw is to approach to present the food of his God. 18 Certainly no
man who has a physical flaw is to approach: a blind man, or one who is lame, or
one with a slit nose, or a limb too long, 19 or a man who
has had a broken leg or arm, 20 or a hunchback, or a dwarf, or one with a
spot in his eye, or a festering eruption, or a feverish rash, or a crushed
testicle.
An
imperfect person could not offer an acceptable offering to God in the Old
covenant. There had no access to the sanctuary. The only way they enjoy the
blessings of the covenant was when they offered a lamb perfect, spotless and
without blemish. That lamb became their representation.
So
you can imagine that a man with a fever could not offer up an offering in
church or a man could not worship in your local assembly because his hands were
slightly longer than normal after the Ushers measured his hands.
The
Ethiopian Eunuch we see in the book of Acts was returning home from his
intention to worship in Jerusalem. The scriptures don’t tell us that he was
able to worship. Why? Because he wasn’t allowed into the sanctuary as the law also
forbade Eunuchs (v20)
The
Spirit of God sent Phillip to him to give the waters that would quench his thirst
forever; The Gospel. That is our duty today as ministers of the New covenant. To
serve men the gospel which is the power of God unto salvation. Phillip showed Him
a greater Eunuch that was depleted of all so that his death and resurrection
ensured a new life of abundance for all who believed in Him. No
disqualification whatsoever! That answered the 2 questions in the heart of the
Ethopian Eunuch.
“How
can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?”
"The
eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about,
himself or someone else?” (Acts 8:31,34)
Phillip’s answer is the answer to the confusion of who can offer an
acceptable offering to God in this new covenant.
Then Philip began with
that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about
Jesus. (vs 35)
Today
there are no restrictions whoever you are. If you are in Christ, you are a new
creation that is complete (whole) in Him. Now you can offer up your service and
sacrifice of praise to God and he is not counting anything against you to
reject your offering or your person.
God
is not looking for any defects in you because He sees you perfect in your lamb,
Jesus. Don’t let anyone tell you that God can’t receive your worship because of
any form of defect. Jesus in now your qualification and you are complete and
perfect in Him.
I leave you with Colossians 2:10The Message (MSG)
8-10 Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with
big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless
arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the
empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings.
But that’s not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so
you can see and hear him clearly. You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or
a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the
universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for
you, too. His power extends over everything.
