Saturday, March 21, 2015

Jeremiah 31:31-34
The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of
Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt--a covenant that they broke,
though I was their husband, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the
house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it
on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

We hear the phrase "new covenant" every Sunday during our communion service, "This cup is
the new covenant in my blood . . . " So what does "new covenant" mean? It's something I've
noodled over in the past, but never really investigated. In the "Interpretation of Jeremiah" written by
Ronald Clements (in our library) he states the term "covenant" appears to have its roots in
Israel's history. It can be compared to an international "treaty" encompassing the mutual
commitment involved in the relationship between God and Israel. So it's like any deal, if you do
this, then I'll do that.
Today's reading discusses the breaking by Israel of their covenant with God after their release
from Egypt as a result of their sinful behavior. The scale of their transgressions effectively
annulled the covenant, similar to a broken marriage (notice the reference to "husband" in the
reading). But God decides to make a "new covenant" with the Israelite. This "new covenant" will
focus on a willingness to obey the law, it will be written "in their hearts, rather than focusing
only on the elements of the law.
We have many "covenants" in our lives: paying the mortgage, taxes, insurance, obeying traffic
laws, and so on. But what about covenants written in our hearts? Are there any? What are
they? Well, we can first start with leading lives which are reflective of the teachings and
example of Jesus. We have a covenant to help the needy, we have a covenant to help correct
injustices, we have a covenant to help those who are suffering, and we have a covenant to spread
the teachings of Jesus to others.
So, now I return to the familiar words we hear every Sunday, "This cup is the new covenant in
my blood . . ." And now I think I have a better understanding of what those words actually mean.
Gracious God, we pray that we become more aware of our
duty to help those in need, to correct injustices, to comfort
those who are suffering, and to spread the word of your son
Jesus Christ. Give us the motivation, energy, and courage
to perform these duties.
Amen
W. M.