"A Blood of a New Covenant"

March 04, 2024 Daily Devotion:   "A Blood of a New Covenant"   Luke 22:19-20 The Passion Translation Then he lifted up a loaf, and after praying a prayer of thanksgiving to God, he gave each of his apostles a piece of bread, saying, “This loaf is my body, which is now being offered to you. Always eat it to remember me.” After supper was over, he lifted the cup again and said, “This cup is my blood of the new covenant I make with you, and it will be poured out soon for all of you. God’s people recognized their sins, repented, and turned back to Him. Part of their commitment to Him was signing a binding covenant together as a people, initiated by the leaders. They signed their names, committing to walk with God and obey His laws once again. A covenant was a significant commitment. God used covenants throughout the history of His people to make promises to them, promises He kept regardless of their faithfulness. When the people of Israel and Judah violated their covenant with God and were sent to exile, God promised to make a new covenant with them when they returned to the land. Here, the people committed to this covenant once again by signing their names. Establishing a covenant was referred to as “cutting” a covenant. When a covenant was “cut,” animals would be slaughtered symbolically, showing that a covenant was costly and that both parties must keep their promises. When the people of Jerusalem cut this new covenant, they signed the document showing they had counted the cost and were willing to set aside their idolatry and walk with God once again. Though the Jews entered into this covenant with God, there was still the ultimate New Covenant to come. God sent Jesus as the minister of the new, everlasting covenant. Jesus established this new covenant, and He was slaughtered in the keeping of the promise. This covenant cost Jesus everything; He offered Himself so we could have freedom from sin and death.