The New Covenant ( Jeremiah 31:31-34)

The New Covenant ( Jeremiah 31:31-34)

One section in the book of Jeremiah (chapters 30-33) stands above other passages in the OT in its optimistic view of Isreal’s future. The high point (31:31-34) is the announcement that the Lord God will form a new covenant with His people. It points towards Jesus of Nazareth, whose death would seal this new covenant.

 One sentence in particular gives a new context to the key affirmation of the Sinai covenant' "I will be their God, and they will be my people" (31:33; see also Exod 6:7). The relationship between God and His people envisioned in the Sinai Covenant was surrounded by laws chis­eled in stone and a priestly class in charge of all religious institutions and activities. The new covenant would differ from the old in one primary way: It would no longer be external to the worshipers, but would now be written on their hearts (31:33). 

The great defect of the old covenant was that it lacked the power to enable people to do what it commanded (Rom 8:3). The new covenant would be internalized through the power of the Holy Spirit, whose indwelling would be made possible through the sacrifice of Christ (Ezek 36:24-27). Thus, it would become possible for people everywhere (not just a select few) to fulfil God's covenant plan for life as summed up in the two "Great Commandments" (Matt 22:35-40): "You must love the LORD your God" (Deut 6:5) and "Love your neighbour as yourself " (Lev 19:18).

In the new covenant, God's role as Creator goes beyond making all material things. The new covenant would achieve the goal that the old one pointed to, but could not reach:

creating new persons and a new community. The goal is a deep transformation of sinners, beginning with forgiveness of sins and culminating in holiness exemplified by good works      (Ephesians 1:4- 2:8-10) According to the NT, all believers in Jesus Christ will know him directly by the activity of the Holy Spirit. They will know him personally and experience him powerfully, as only a few did in Old Testament  times

Jesus applied the new covenant to himself when he instituted the communion ritual (Matt 26:28 Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; see also 

1 Corinthians 11.25; 2 Corinthians 3:6). Jesus’death inaugurated the new covenant, and Christians commemorate that reality each time they take communion. Hebrews 8:8-12 quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34, and Hebrews 9 contrast the old and new covenants. The writer clearly states that Jesus’ death brought the new covenant into existence and made him the mediator of the covenant for whoever believes in him.

Prayer Point

›We are thanking God for His new covenant

› We are asking God to forgive us of our sins know and unknown sins that will prevent us from seeing the glory of God

› Oh God create in us new people and new community. A community after your heart

›Father affect our lives with your holiness, which will manifest in our good works

›Father Lord transform us,  forgive us our sins in the name of Jesus.

›Father we are  standing on your promise, help us know you directly and experience your power mightly by the power of the Holy Ghost

› We are bleeding for the blood of Jesus on our lives

› We are thanking God for given us Jesus, salving our souls and making us heirs

› We are still asking God to heal our lands.

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