The old Mosaic law was a gracious gift from God but it is now replaced by a further gracious gift—the grace and truth embodied in Jesus Christ.1 The old covenant included numerous laws, types, and shadows that looked forward to the coming of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:1). But now it has been fulfilled and replaced. The law covenant that was given by grace anticipated the incarnate Word, but now that he has come, that same prophetic law covenant is superseded by that which it prophesied would come (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Hebrews 8:1–13). With the coming of Jesus Christ, we have the new covenant in his blood (Luke 22:20). Access to God is no longer by means of sacrifices brought to the temple, but through faith in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:19–25).
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.