A NEW COVENANT

Read Jeremiah 31:31-34

Key verse: No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord,; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.  Jere.31:34

In the midst of the anguish of the people of Israel, carried away into captivity, Jeremiah sees hope for the future. The covenant written on stone and in books was broken by the disobedience of the people and the relationship between God and the people destroyed. The day will come when God will make a new covenant with his people. God’s new covenant will be written on their hearts – they will be transformed by his creative power to desire and have the power to do his will. “I will put my law within them and write it upon their hearts,” says the Lord. He will “forgive their iniquity and remember their sins no more.” Once more the fellowship between God and his people will be restored.

On the night he was betrayed, Jesus Christ remembered this prophecy. He took the cup, gave thanks to God and said, “This cup is the new covenant, sealed in my blood.” All the blessings Jeremiah saw – obedience from the heart, restoration of fellowship with God through forgiveness, personal knowledge of God – are made available to the people of God through “the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all.” (Hebrews 10:8-18)

The birth of Jesus Christ, his ministry, death and resurrection ushered in the Kingdom of God on earth known in part by those who choose to follow him. Jeremiah’s prophecy will be completely fulfilled in the future – when Christ returns and all will know the Lord.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank you for the new covenant through Jesus Christ that grants us forgiveness and restores our fellowship with you. Write your law on our hearts and enable us to love and serve you in response to your amazing love.  Amen