Speaking Better Things
By: Apostle Skhumbuzo Sangweni
“And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:24)
The Scriptures call the Lord Jesus the Mediator; one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant. Jesus validates the New Covenant in His blood that “speaks”. The concept of the speaking blood comes directly from the law of Moses, where the book of the covenant would be read and when Israel agrees to the words of the covenant, they will be sprinkled with animal blood, This act enforced the promises of the covenant. “And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words”. (Exo 24:7-8)
Abel, was declared righteous because of his offering of faith, and because the life of the flesh is in the blood, when his brother murdered him, his righteous innocent blood cried out to God. Every innocent blood that is spilled cries out to the Lord we see this spiritual reality in the book of revelation “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?”. (Rev 6:10) Jesus had to be murdered and shed his innocent blood so that the voice of his blood can cry out before God. But His blood doesn’t speak vengeance rather it speaks justification, unlike the righteous Abel, He (Christ) is the very sacrifice, meaning he is the righteousness of God, and his blood speaks righteously before God. In Heaven Christ stood as the lamb that was slain he unsealed the book of covenant that had seven seals and purchased our redemption. (See Rev 5:1-14).
The blood of Christ speaks better things, meaning it speaks of things that are more excellent and more advantageous because it is spiritual and eternal it knows no earthly bounds and it is not limited by death. It is the only blood that doesn’t cry for revenge. It rather grants man access to God directly, that by it, man can stand before the Throne of grace justified, not only righteous but clothed in the sacrifice of the cross. Now God deals with us, as if we are Christ himself. His Blood is now upon our heads, not as a curse but as a blessing, to speak to God on our behalf.
“But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises”. (Heb 8:6) The Lord Jesus has an eternal ministry, as a mediator, and a high Priest not only does he have an excellent ministry, he has also commissioned us to the same ministry. “Who also hath made us ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the Spirit giveth life” (2 Cor: 3:6). We minister by the spirit with a conscience that has been purified by His blood.
