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Day 17: The New Covenant

The prophet Jeremiah was the first to introduce the idea of a new covenant. Familiarity with that passage will clarify some points that are commonly misunderstood. Here it is:

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

There are a few noteworthy aspects about this passage that we need to consider. First, this covenant is to be made with the people of Israel and the people of Judah. It’s not made with everybody. Gentile believers have a part in it because of their connection and partnership with Israel. Paul used a couple of analogies to describe this partnership. He wrote that Gentile believers are wild olive branches grafted into a cultured Jewish olive tree in Romans 11. In Ephesians 2, Paul used the metaphor of one new man as well as a building or temple to describe that partnership. Nevertheless, much of Christianity has opposed Judaism since the second century. Historically, Christians have been the greatest persecutors of Jews. Such a shame!

It’s also important to note that in this new covenant, God’s law is still in effect. Only now, His law is internalized. It’s automatic. It’s clear that this passage has not happened yet. This new covenant with the people of Israel is something that is “already but not yet.” Jesus inaugurated it with His blood (Luke 22:20), but the full effect will not be realized until the return of the Messiah and the regathering of Israel.

Jeremiah ended by assuring that God will never give up on Israel. The church has not replaced Israel. The church has joined her. “Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 31:37).

Reflection

There’s no question that Jews have suffered greatly historically. Historically, they were expelled and marginalized all over the world. As followers of God, we should love Israel and her people as God does. Do you know any Jewish people? I urge you to appreciate them as a conduit through which God blesses us.

Suffering is part of following Jesus, who also suffered. Today, take some time to journal about what Christ has formed in you through suffering, and how you have grown as a result.