At the heart of the New Covenant is Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, the culmination of God’s salvific plan and the ultimate act of love and obedience. This sacrifice is not merely a historical event but one that is perpetuated in the Eucharist, uniting believers to the Paschal Mystery. The blood of Christ, shed on the Cross, is the foundation of the New Covenant and finds its ongoing expression in the sacramental life of the Church.
The Old Covenant required the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of sins, as seen in the sacrifices of the Mosaic Law:
Hebrews 9:22:
"Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins."
In the New Covenant, Christ’s own blood replaces the sacrifices of animals:
Hebrews 9:12:
"He entered once for all into the holy place, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption."
Christ’s blood signifies the ultimate purification and reconciliation between God and humanity:
Ephesians 1:7:
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace."
This sacrificial blood establishes a new relationship, where the law is written on the hearts of believers (Jeremiah 31:33) and the Holy Spirit empowers them to live in righteousness.
The institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper directly connects the sacrifice of the Cross to the New Covenant:
Matthew 26:28:
"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
Here, Christ anticipates His sacrifice on the Cross and establishes the Eucharist as the perpetual memorial of that sacrifice.
On the Cross, Jesus fulfills the Old Testament sacrificial system:
John 19:30:
"It is finished."
This declaration marks the completion of His mission to redeem humanity and the institution of the New Covenant, as prophesied by Jeremiah and fulfilled in Christ: