The law’s rule over God’s people ended with the coming of faith in Christ. As Romans 10:4 says, “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” Hebrews 9:14-18 gives an even more specific timeframe. It shows that the New Covenant began with the death of Christ.
For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. (Hebrews 9:16-17)
Using the word for “covenant”—which in Greek is also the word for a “will”—the Scripture says, “A will takes effect only at death” (Hebrews 9:17). That section of Hebrews helps to explain something Jesus said about the Lord’s Supper. At this meal, which took place shortly before His death, Jesus gave to the grape juice a new meaning.
This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:28 cf. Mark 14:24)
This cup that is poured out for you is the New Covenant in My blood. (Luke 22:20 cf. 1 Corinthians 11:25; Hebrews 13:20)
The cross is the boundary between covenants.
Remember that God had started the Old Covenant with “the blood of the covenant” (Exodus 24:8). That blood came from sacrificed animals (Hebrews 9:18-22). The New Covenant also started with blood, but much better blood, the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:13-14, 23; 10:19). Acts 20:28 calls this the blood of God! What a price was paid for this New Covenant!
The cross, then, is the boundary line between the two covenants. This is purely God’s arrangement; no human thought up this division of God’s dealings into two covenant periods. Thus, according to God’s plan, Jesus lived and died under the Old Covenant. Jesus’ last will and testament—the New Covenant—could not be in effect while He lived. As Hebrews 9:17 says so well, “A will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.” This truth is the key to understanding when the Old ended and the New began. This key supplies the answers to many questions.