The covenant in My blood
“Likewise the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the renewed covenant in My blood which is shed for you.’”
— Luqas (Luke) 22:20, TS2009
The Covenant Began at His Death
The central point of view in Scripture is clear: the B’rit Ḥadashah (Renewed Covenant), marking a fundamental change in Y’hovah’s relationship with humanity, began at the death of Y’hoshua HaMashiach — not at His birth.
This truth shapes our entire understanding of biblical history, the ministry of Y’hoshua, and the unfolding of Y’hovah’s redemptive plan.
“For where a covenant is, it is necessary for the death of the covenanted one to be established.”
— Ivrim (Hebrews) 9:16, TS2009
Just as a last will and testament cannot take effect until the death of the one who made it, so too the New Covenant could not be inaugurated until the blood of the covenant was shed.
Y’hoshua Lived and Ministered Under the Old Covenant
Many assume that the New Covenant began in Mattityahu (Matthew) chapter 1, with the birth of Y’hoshua.
However, according to Scripture, Y’hoshua lived and ministered entirely under the Old Covenant.
“But when the completion of the time came, Elohim sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under Torah, to redeem those who were under Torah, in order to receive the adoption as sons.”
— Galatim (Galatians) 4:4–5, TS2009
He was born into a covenant people still bound to the Mosaic system.
His ministry — His healings, His parables, His teachings — all revealed the spirit and heart of the Torah, exposing the true righteousness that Y’hovah always desired from His people.
Y’hoshua said:
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to complete.”
— Mattityahu (Matthew) 5:17, TS2009
His purpose was not to abolish Torah, but to fulfill it perfectly, revealing its divine intent and preparing the way for the renewed covenant to be sealed through His blood.
The Necessity of Blood for Covenant
Y’hovah has always established His covenants through blood — a symbol of life and atonement.
“Therefore not even the first covenant was instituted without blood. For when, according to Torah, every command had been spoken by Mosheh to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, ‘This is the blood of the covenant which Elohim commanded you.’”
— Ivrim (Hebrews) 9:18–20, TS2009; cf. Shemot (Exodus) 24:8
Just as Mosheh inaugurated the covenant at Sinai with the blood of animals, Y’hoshua inaugurated the B’rit Ḥadashah with His own blood — perfect, eternal, and redemptive.
“Likewise the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the renewed covenant in My blood which is shed for you.’”
— Luqas (Luke) 22:20, TS2009
That moment — when Y’hoshua offered the cup — was prophetic.
The covenant would not take effect until the next day, when His blood was literally poured out for the redemption of many.
The Dividing Line of History
The true dividing line between the Old and New Covenants is not the birth of Messiah, but His death.
When the spear pierced His side and the veil of the Temple was torn in two, the way into Y’hovah’s presence was opened once and for all.
The old priestly system, based on continual sacrifice, ended; the new priesthood of Y’hoshua began.
“For a covenant over those dead is firm, since it is never valid while the covenanted one is living.”
— Ivrim (Hebrews) 9:17, TS2009
This is the precise moment the B’rit Ḥadashah was activated — through the sacrifice of Y’hoshua’s blood.
His death marked the end of the old system and the beginning of a new and living way (Hebrews 10:20).
Through His blood, the covenant promises — forgiveness, adoption, and eternal inheritance — were sealed forever.
The Purpose of His Teachings
Y’hoshua’s words before His death remain eternally relevant.
He taught under the Old Covenant, but His message anticipated the New.
His teachings carried two central purposes:
- To reveal the futility of legalistic observance without the Spirit.
— “For it is impossible to keep Torah without the Ruach.” - To prepare the people for a renewed relationship through grace and the Ruach HaKodesh.
His ministry bridged the covenants — illuminating the heart of Torah while pointing to the coming reality of divine indwelling.
“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father — the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father — He shall bear witness of Me.”
— Yochanan (John) 15:26, TS2009
“For the reign of Elohim is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and shalom and joy in the Ruach HaKodesh.”
— Romiyim (Romans) 14:17, TS2009
The Covenant Completed in Blood
From the first Passover in Egypt to the final Passover in Jerusalem, blood has always marked redemption.
The blood on the doorposts spared Yisra’el from death; the blood of Y’hoshua spares all who believe.
The first covenant was sealed with the blood of animals; the Renewed Covenant was sealed with the blood of the Lamb.
“This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many, for forgiveness of sins.”
— Mattityahu (Matthew) 26:28, CJB
Thus, the B’rit Ḥadashah began not with His cry in a manger, but with His cry from the stake:
“It is finished.” (Yochanan 19:30)
The New Covenant began with the death of Y’hoshua HaMashiach.
His ministry under the Old Covenant revealed the true heart of Torah — mercy, righteousness, and love — while preparing for the renewed relationship sealed in His blood.
At His death, the covenant was enacted; at His resurrection, it was confirmed.
Now, all who believe and walk in His Spirit are adopted as sons and daughters of Y’hovah, heirs of His promises, and participants in His eternal covenant of grace.
“Blessed be the Elohim and Father of our Master Y’hoshua HaMashiach, who according to His great compassion has caused us to be born again to a living expectation through the resurrection of Y’hoshua from the dead.”
— 1 Kefa (1 Peter) 1:3, TS2009
By Rabbi Francisco Arbas — Netzari Mashiach Judaism
www.netzarim-talmidim.org
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