“I will make a new covenant with the people. . . . I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more.”

— Hebrews 8:8, 12

I can still remember the first time I really understood the gift of God’s grace. I had been used to the idea of “earning” favor and approval from people, and that extended into seeking approval from God. It was a familiar pattern: Perform well, and you will be rewarded. Fail, and you are left with guilt and consequences. But grace is not like that. It depends not on our performance but on God’s promises—sealed through Jesus. The writer of Hebrews contrasts the old covenant, which was based on laws and rituals, with the new covenant of grace established by the sacrifice of Jesus. The old covenant required continuous sacrifices for sin, but Jesus, through his sacrifice of himself once for all, made it possible for us to draw near to God, being loved and forgiven. The new covenant means that we no longer need to fear God’s judgment. We are invited into an intimate relationship with God, marked not by our obedience but by God’s perfect love. No matter what our mistakes are, God’s grace is always greater. This is the good news of salvation—the new covenant in Jesus. As we reflect on all this, let’s embrace the freedom that comes with grace. No longer bound by old rules, we can live in hope and peace, knowing God has made a way for us to be fully loved and forgiven.

Jesus, thank you for establishing the new covenant of grace. Help us fully to embrace your love and to live in the freedom you have given us. Amen.