Advertising agencies spend a lot of time and money trying to convince us that whatever we have is outdated, worn out, uncool and in need of replacement.  An hour of TV will inform you that you need a new car, a new vacuum, a new medicine, a new garbage bag and a new widget.  It never stops, 24 hours a day the messages are coming one after another that new is better.  I think we all know that this is not the case.  Old shoes are comfy.  Old gloves fit just right.  An old blankie is perfect for a cool evening.  That old Black Jeep is still getting us down the two track.  That old guitar has been with us so long it’s like family.  But, given the reality of entropy, things do have to be replaced from time to time.  There is at least one thing that I am super glad is new—the New Covenant.   The Old Covenant was designed to point forward to something better.  Under the Old Covenant we learn that sin is bad for us and blood is required for forgiveness.  Under the Old Covenant we have symbols and “foreshadowing.”  However, when Jesus came and announced that His blood inaugurated the New Covenant, all the shadows and pictures became real.  The blood of Jesus actually paid the price for sin “once and for all.”  No more animal sacrifice.  No more bloody offerings.  No more shadows.  Through Christ’s death, burial and resurrection we are forgiven from sin, free from the bondage of sin and we are given full access to the Father’s presence.  New is better!