The New Covenant: An Opportunity To Be Seated With Christ

The birth of Christ heralded the dawning of a new agreement or covenant between God and man. God the Father knew that the only way the people He created could live with Him in perfect relationship- a holy God with defiled and unclean human being, was to have Jesus wash us clean.

“… Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word” (Eph 5:25-26)

Preparation To Be In The Presence Of The King

In the Old Testament, the book of Ester shows that Ester underwent cleansing with specific oil and perfumes for an entire year before she entered the presence of the King. This preparation was to ensure outward cleanliness according to royal standards as well as to teach proper behavior and etiquette. It was a preparation process of denying self will and acquiescing to the protocol.

“Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics.”(Ester 2:12)

This cleansing process in the Old Testament was a symbol of transformation from ordinary Jewish girl to a queen. She went from obscurity to a position of influence. Before she could wear the crown, she entered into a season of preparation that shaped her heart as much as her appearance. Ester may have thought she was ready to stand before the king, but being chosen required her to submit to a process beyond her control. The cleansing was not a delay but rather divine preparation. Before God elevated her to greater responsibility, He refined her with an opportunity for obedience.

God Prepared Jesus

God chose, humbled and prepared Jesus as well. Although He was born to be the King of the world, He did not immediately take His seat in the heavenlies beside God the Father. Instead, He was first humbled. Jesus was born in a manger, exposed to sin, was tested by Satan- yet never sinned. In ultimate obedience and love, He surrendered Himself to death on a cross. After Jesus’ death, His body was carefully prepared and laid to rest in the tomb.

“He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.” (John 19:39-40)

Grace Prepares Christ Followers

Unlike Ester, who had to go through a lengthy process before approaching the king, Christ followers stand prepared by grace. We need only accept the finished work of Jesus. When we receive Christ as Lord and Savior, God makes us fit to sit at His right hand in the heavenly realms. This position is spiritually now, as well as for all eternity.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”(Eph 2:8-8)

The Throne Room

Christ followers have ascended to the throne room when Jesus died. We can think of this difficult fact like this: our bodies are still on earth but our Spirits are sitting within Jesus next to God the Father.

“Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. / Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. / For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”(Col 3:1-3)

The New Covenant makes this a fact. Instead of “working” to earn a seat in the throne room, we simply walk worthy of it by embracing our identity as children of God. As we do, we actively enjoy our relationship with Jesus and learn to move out of the world and into new life.

“…walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God”(Col 1:10)

“Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…”(Phil 1:27a)

“… walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”(1 Thes 2:12)

God Hears Our Prayers As Christ Followers

Because we sit with Jesus in heavenly realms, in other words, “In Christ,” the Father hears our Spirit led requests. But one question plagues many Christ followers. How to I have faith enough to believe I’m this close to God and He hears me?

Scriptures tell us: “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Rom 10:17) Therefore, if we desire to have our prayer requests answered, we must believe all of God’s promised blessings.

The Word of God is Jesus in the flesh. (John 1: 1, 14). Therefore, if we sit with Jesus, the Holy Spirit impresses upon our soul that Scripture is true. We understand with certainty God’s Word cannot fail. But is is up to us to draw near to God with our whole heart, allowing the Holy Spirit to change our desires. Then as we walk according to the Word, we will believe according to the Word.

God’s Bold Promises

“I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner. I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found. I, the LORD, speak only what is true and declare only what is right.”(Is 45:19 )

“But he must ask in faith, without doubting. Because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”(James 1:6)

As we sit with the Word= Jesus, reading and reciting Scripture out loud, our faith will increase. And as our faith increases, we become assured that what we ask for in faith we will receive. The most High God desires to give us every good and perfect gift.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” (Eph 1-3)

Food For Thought,

Lisa