New Covenant

New Covenant

Have you noticed the focus on covenant this Lent?

On the first Sunday of Lent we read of the universal covenant God made with “Noah, his descendants and with every living creature” (Gen 9:8-17).

The next week, we saw that God appeared to Abraham and promised that he and Sarah will have progeny and become great nations. (17:1-7, 15-1) An extension of the same promise (Genesis 12) that through Abraham and his descendants God would bless every tribe upon the earth.

Remember on the third Sunday that we heard the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). In the first commandment where YHWH declared He was Israel’s savior who calls them into a covenant of faithful love and obedient trust. The commandments laid down their new way of life.

Last week, you heard Numbers 21:-9. Poisonous serpents bit and killed unfaithful Israel as a punishment, until Moses was instructed to place a bronze serpent on a stick so they could be saved. In the Gospel (John 3:1-21) that day Jesus said: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.” This is the new covenant in Jesus’ blood.

Today is the last Sunday before Holy Week. Today, in Jeremiah, we hear God’s promise of a new covenant. I wish we could read and reflect on all of Jeremiah 31. Today’s short quote is addressed to the people God was calling back and saving. The new covenant is promised to those in exile, whom God, in grace and mercy, will gather back into the land of Israel. This covenant will be written “within them” on their hearts—God among His people and known by all. God will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more. God will dwell within us, in our deepest and secret place.

In the Ancient Near East, a covenant is based on grace, but it is a two way street. YHWH offers Himself as a King or Husband. He offers healing salvation and faithful love but it requires our response. If we do not love, trust and obey Him, then the saving grace loses its power to save. We must repent, by turning around and heading back to Him.

Here is how Jesus says it in an ancient Semitic way:

“Those who love their life will lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” What this means is that we each have a choice. This life is a passing mist, clinging to it at all costs is foolish.  We must love God the Father more than we love our life on earth. To die to self is to make God our truest center. He loves you more than you love Him, so trust Him. That is your covenant offer. Each day is your choice and response. Choose well.