Covenant: So many times, I see the word in Scripture, in commentaries of biblical texts, occasionally heard preached about. I feel a need to better understand this idea of “covenant” as it relates to my relationship with God, with Christ (if different than), with The Holy Spirit (if different than).
I wonder, is the biblical concept of “covenant” just a pact, a contract, between God and us? Perhaps the Israelites saw the early covenants as legalistic, depending on observance of God’s Law and commandments. Punishment for non-observance.
Jeremiah makes this prophecy of God’s everlasting promise to Israel: “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts.” (Jeramiah 31:32) God promises to bless and protect them if they faithfully keep the law God gives them.
Jesus takes a loaf of bread, gives thanks and gives it to his disciples: “Take, eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. He did the same with the cup of wine. “Drink from it all of you for this is the blood of the covenant poured out for you.”
Texts like these emphasize the importance of covenant in the history of God’s intervention into the history of humankind. So, why is covenant so important as I reflect on the meaning of covenant for my faith journey?
I wonder about this “new covenant” Jesus speaks of. I believe this New Covenant is not one in the legalistic sense. God forgives sin and restores communion with those whose believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the mediator. He defeated death by His resurrection and restored life for those who believe in Him.
We are baptized into the Body of Christ by a personal faith in Christ Jesus, sacramentally sealed in baptism, sustained by his flesh and blood. We make credal promises to God. God through Christ promises us eternal life. God’s offer of covenant relationship becomes operative. We become bound to a divine love and loyalty that is unwavering, transcending all of our failings.
It is the promise of intimacy with God, through His Son with God’s Spirit deep within each of us. It is personal interaction of offer and acceptance.
God’s covenant from the ancient times to now, into the future is God’s love in action. It is God’s desire to know us from the beginning, who we are, who I am.
God offers relentless, unwavering, steadfast love that never ends. I understand it is impossible for me to perfectly reciprocate or deserve God’s never-ending love. How does that stand within a covenant relationship?
When we accept God’s offer of covenant relationship by turning our hearts towards God, we become bound to a divine love and loyalty that is unwavering, transcending all of our failings. The Lord is ever faithful, his mercies never end. They are new every morning!
“If you direct your heart rightly, you will stretch out your hand toward him; your life will be brighter than the noonday, its darkness will be like morning and you will have confidence because there is hope. Let me have silence and I will speak, and let come on me what may.” Job, 12:13; 13:13,17-18
I wonder, is the biblical concept of “covenant” just a pact, a contract, between God and us? Perhaps the Israelites saw the early covenants as legalistic, depending on observance of God’s Law and commandments. Punishment for non-observance.
Jeremiah makes this prophecy of God’s everlasting promise to Israel: “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts.” (Jeramiah 31:32) God promises to bless and protect them if they faithfully keep the law God gives them.
Jesus takes a loaf of bread, gives thanks and gives it to his disciples: “Take, eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. He did the same with the cup of wine. “Drink from it all of you for this is the blood of the covenant poured out for you.”
Texts like these emphasize the importance of covenant in the history of God’s intervention into the history of humankind. So, why is covenant so important as I reflect on the meaning of covenant for my faith journey?
I wonder about this “new covenant” Jesus speaks of. I believe this New Covenant is not one in the legalistic sense. God forgives sin and restores communion with those whose believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the mediator. He defeated death by His resurrection and restored life for those who believe in Him.
We are baptized into the Body of Christ by a personal faith in Christ Jesus, sacramentally sealed in baptism, sustained by his flesh and blood. We make credal promises to God. God through Christ promises us eternal life. God’s offer of covenant relationship becomes operative. We become bound to a divine love and loyalty that is unwavering, transcending all of our failings.
It is the promise of intimacy with God, through His Son with God’s Spirit deep within each of us. It is personal interaction of offer and acceptance.
God’s covenant from the ancient times to now, into the future is God’s love in action. It is God’s desire to know us from the beginning, who we are, who I am.
God offers relentless, unwavering, steadfast love that never ends. I understand it is impossible for me to perfectly reciprocate or deserve God’s never-ending love. How does that stand within a covenant relationship?
When we accept God’s offer of covenant relationship by turning our hearts towards God, we become bound to a divine love and loyalty that is unwavering, transcending all of our failings. The Lord is ever faithful, his mercies never end. They are new every morning!
“If you direct your heart rightly, you will stretch out your hand toward him; your life will be brighter than the noonday, its darkness will be like morning and you will have confidence because there is hope. Let me have silence and I will speak, and let come on me what may.” Job, 12:13; 13:13,17-18
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