6th August 2026
Take heart
But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since [it] is established on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.
Hebrews 8:6–7 (NIV)
Ever felt like you’ve just got used to something on your computer, and then it’s ‘all change’? I recently received an EoL (End of Life) notification about Microsoft Publisher. For Microsoft 365 subscribers, the app will stop working entirely in October 2026. And why? Well, to quote its maker: ‘In order to focus on new benefits, we occasionally remove features and products.’
Did you realise there’s an EoL notification in the Bible too? It’s a few verses on from our header scripture: ‘By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.’ (Hebrews 8:13).
The writer of Hebrews is referring to the prophet Jeremiah’s far-in-advance notice about the withdrawal of the temporary covenant written for hard-hearted Israelites on tablets of stone, and the announcement of a new covenant to include all of humanity, based on better promises and designed for a new heart.
This covenant is new and better because, as God incarnate – Son of God and Son of Man – Jesus Christ the mediator stands as both parties involved in the covenant. Jesus has already fulfilled humanity’s part and includes us in his resurrection life, imparting his righteousness and holiness to us as our saviour, redeemer and friend, because we could not save ourselves. By coming to us even while we walked in darkness, the Eternal Son of the Father has embraced and perfected our fallen humanity. Through this union, we are crucified with Christ, buried with him in baptism, raised with him in his resurrection life, and ascended with him to heavenly places.
When we awaken to the good news of Christ in us, our hope of glory, we are set free to put the past behind us. That’s our personal EoL moment.
Any change, of course, takes us out of our comfort zone. So is there any harm in finding a way around this EoL, perhaps by acquiring the stand-alone app so we can continue in our old ways? According to Microsoft, while the standalone version may still function, there will be no new security updates, so the advice is to move on to the new and better creative apps that simply weren’t around when Publisher first came out.
Writing with his quill, the Apostle Paul is very much on the same page: ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!’ (2 Corinthians 5:17). That’s where our security is to be found.
Let’s embrace the One who has already embraced us, and participate in the new benefits of being included in new life, in him.
Prayer
Loving God, Father, Son and Spirit – thank you that you are in the business of making all things new. May we joyfully participate in the new life you offer us in Christ Jesus through the Spirit shed abroad in our new heart, crying out Abba, Father, Amen.
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Study by: Shirley McLean About the author: |
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Local congregation:
Grace Communion Hemel
Bennetts End Community Centre,
Gatecroft,
Hemel Hempstead
HP3 9LZ
Meeting time:
Sunday 10:30 am
Local congregational contact:
Shirley McLean
Email: hemel@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church