As an Israelite, Christ was born into a works covenant: "Born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law" (Gal. 4:4). (1) From the beginning, the promise of the covenant of grace depended upon a substitute-the seed of the woman-who would both fulfill the positive requirements of the law and bear the requisite curse for the broken covenant of creation. The completion of his life's mission at Calvary was also the founding of a New Covenant community in his shed blood (Luke 22:20). The blessings that the Father grants to him on the condition of his obedience, he now grants to his church graciously-again, on the condition of his own obedience (Luke 22:29-30; John 6:37-40; 17:20-26).
This is a new covenant in relation to the Mosaic Covenant, for the typological kingdom has been supplanted by the kingdom reality. Yet there remains continuity between the gracious covenant promised in the garden, confirmed to Abraham, and fulfilled in Christ, as is plain from Romans 4 and Galatians 3. (2) Now come in its fullness, it crowds out and cancels all other typological anticipations of its reality. Precisely because this one covenant between Christ and his church has been fulfilled, the New Testament over-whelmingly indicates that a new age has dawned, the promised consummation breaking in even now upon history-"Like a peninsula protruding into the sea." (3) Since Christ, our firstfruits reign in the heavenlies, and we are members of him, our voice of praise one with the heavenly chorus (Heb. 12, Rev. 4-7). Resurrection life is now ours in the midst of a dying world.
2 [ Back ] In this sense, it is important to realize that the most fitting model for the church in the world is provided by the patriarchs, not by the nation of Israel. Like Abraham, we are pilgrims seeking a heavenly land and ruled only by a risen King (Heb. 11).
3 [ Back ] This is the favorite expression of Geerhardus Vos for this majestic in breaking.
