A Truly New Covenant
Something truly new and different is happening as Christ our Lord
institutes His supper. We call it the Last Supper because it was the Last
Supper, which Jesus ate before His arrest, trial, and death. It can
also be referred to as the Last Supper because at last, after this supper
something new is taking place. In establishing this Holy Communion Jesus is
presenting to us a new covenant in His body and blood.
Holy Communion certainly is a truly new covenant. What
is this new thing?
I. The
blood of Christ replaces the blood of animals.
A. Specific animals had to be
offered for specific sacrifices.
1. The list of tasks was
endless. Regulations abounded. The requirements were tremendous. The law
required for a strict enforcement of all of the regulations of the ceremonies.
An animal had to be killed in a certain manner; certain sacrifices required
certain animals.
2. Men had to be therefore
taught repeatedly concerning these sacrifices. Each generation had to pass down
to the next one how the sacrifices were to be carried out. If they failed to
teach their children how the sacrifice was to be performed the entire custom
would be lost in one generation. The hope for forgiveness, restoration and
peace would be lost forever.
B. These sacrifices had
to be frequent because people repeatedly sinned.
1. As there were sacrifices
named for specific sins, these sacrifices could only last but once. There was
but one sacrifice for each offense. When a subsequent offense occurred, another
sacrifice had to be offered if a person were to have their sin atoned and their
conscience stilled.
2. This made an interesting
enterprise for some. There would have to be animals on hand, available to be
sacrificed. These had to be kept, housed, fed, and cared for. Often abuses were
found, as just a few days before His arrest Jesus took a whip and drove out the
animals, and the money launders who had turned God's house into a dean of
thieves.
Transition: Such was the old system of sacrifices. It was limited,
cumbersome, full of regulations, and a system that was full of abuse. That is
why Christ came to give us a more acceptable way. Consider Jesus' new covenant.
II. The
new covenant speaks of the work that was accomplished in Jesus Christ.
A. The Old covenant ="this
do and live"
1. It was a covenant of regulations
disciplines and rules. It was based on strict obedience. It was motivated by
fear; fear of reprisals, fear of failure, fear of offending a just a holy God.
2. It could not stand the test of
every man for no one is capable of following the decrees and dictates of a holy
God. For this reason our good and gracious Father sent forth a plan that a just
the right time His Son, our Savior would break into time and space to offer up
Himself a good and perfect sacrifice. This was accomplished with Christ
instituted His Supper "which is give and shed for you for the forgiveness
of all of your sins.
B. The New covenant =
"live and do this"
1. The benefits of the new
covenant, celebrated by Christians in this wonderful Sacrament are the fruits
of Christ's righteousness.
He gives to us the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. We are
now free to live and the children of God.
2. Because of this freedom,
this new life that is offered by Christ, we are also strengthened to will and
to do the will of our heavenly Father. Obedience no longer becomes a burden. It
becomes a blessing and an opportunity to serve God in righteousness and purity.
This meal is truly a celebration of the new
things God is working in us. It is a new covenant, a covenant of His mercy and
grace. It is a feast of victory of our God who has done all things well for His
glory and our good. Come, for all things are now ready. Amen.
Passive Sentences -25%
Readability – 67.1%
Reading Level – 7.1
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