February 23
24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
– 1 Corinthians 11:24-25
NEW COVENANT
This week we are looking at the Lord’s Supper as taught in 1 Corinthians 11.
Paul recites Jesus’ statement about his blood being the new covenant. These may seem like two small words slipped into this discussion about communion, but for the 1st Century audience especially and for us today, the reality of a new covenant is significant! Here’s why:
Covenants are how God interacts with his creation. The arrangement of the relationship between God and his people is established through covenants. In a sense, the covenants provide a skeletal structure by which we understand the meta-narrative of scripture. In the simplest terms, there is an Old and New Covenant, which serves as the primary “distinction” in our Bibles, the Old and New Testaments.
The New Covenant is promised to God’s People in Jeremiah 31, and here are the big rocks of the New Covenant:
1) We are NOT the mediator of the New Covenant; Jesus is.
Whereas our relationship with God was contingent upon our obedience to the covenant in the Old Testament, now our right standing with God is based on Jesus’ obedience on our behalf. His perfect life, his substitutionary death stands in the gap!
2) The Old Covenant focused on the “Written Word;” the New Covenant centers on the “Living Word.”
Jesus Christ is the word of God. He is the exact representation of God. The New Covenant centers on Him. He lives, death, and resurrection. This does not mean that the New Covenant does not have commandments by which we are to follow, it means that we obey from righteousness not for righteousness.
3) The New Covenant promises that we will be given His Spirit.
God will gift us his Spirit, which would be do all things by His Grace and for His Glory. The Spirit of God empowers us to live Holy Lives. God with us takes on a whole new meaning.
Remind your heart today that you are bound to God through the New Covenant that was purchased by Jesus’ blood. His holiness, not yours, is the key to right standing with God!
PRAYER
Our Father,
Thank you for your Word. We pray that by your Spirit, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 would change us into the likeness of Christ. We praise you for the New Covenant that is purchased by your blood. Thank you that you are faithful to us! Father, we pray this now through The Son and By the Spirit. Amen.
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