183: Sarah Is the Mother of Us All

In Galatians 4, Paul tells us that Sarah and Hagar and their sons represent the two covenants – law and grace. The Old Covenant and the New Covenant.

…which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia [where the law was given!], and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— (Galatians 4:24-25, brackets mine)¹

Hagar, the slave girl, represents the bondage under the law which was given at Mount Sinai. The earthly Jerusalem of our time is still in bondage to the law. They have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. They are still working to establish their own righteousness and have not submitted to the gift of righteousness.²

…but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children than she who has a husband.” (Galatians 4:26-27)

In other words, if you are a person of grace, it might be for a moment that you don’t see any results like Sarah who was barren for many years, but keep on rejoicing and keep on shouting because you will bring forth more fruit than the person of law! Remember “Sarah is the mother of us all!” Grace is our mother! Grace will be fruitful and multiply! Everything comes by promise under grace. Nothing under grace is achieved. It’s only received.

(from pages 277-278 of Unveiling Jesus)

Want more from Tricia Gunn? Check out excerpts from the Unveiling Jesus 20-part series!

Unveiling Jesus, by Tricia Gunn, is a verse by verse study of the pure gospel of grace. It’s an amazing journey of love, identity, and freedom in Christ.

---

Shop Unveiling Jesus Products

¹All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New King James Version. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®.  Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.  Used by permission.
²Romans 10:2-4″