December 23rd - Andrew Myers

Hey guys! My name is Andrew Myers, I am a junior at UK double majoring in computer science and mathematics. I am also one of the Freshman Focus leaders this year. All scripture references will be from the ESV. 

The topic I will be talking about today is how Jesus is the new covenant that had been prophesied about in the Old Testament. As a good starting place, let's look at Jeremiah 31:31-34. Here we can see the Lord saying he will make a new covenant with his people, unlike the one he made with their fathers. This new covenant was necessary not because God’s original one was flawed but because the people of Israel were flawed and unable to keep it. God says, “For this new covenant… I will put my law within them, and will write it on their hearts… I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” 

At the end of Isaiah 59, God speaks of a redeemer who will come to create a new covenant with those who turn from their transgressions, so “My Spirit is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart…” Already, we can begin to see a pattern for this new covenant. Instead of the old covenant where the people of God were under the law, now God sends his Spirit upon us and he puts his law within us. We can continue to see this in Ezekiel 36:24-31 where he says these things, “I will sprinkle clean water on you,” “I will cleanse you,” “I will give you a new heart,” “a new spirit I will put within you,” “And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” These verses end with “Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations.” 

In these passages, God made a clear promise to his people. He would send a redeemer for those who turn from their transgressions, and then because of him, God would then give his Spirit to his people and create a clean heart in them so that they can be forgiven of their sins. Now if only there were someone in the bible who fits this description, it would maybe seem like God had this big plan for the salvation of his people. WELL GUESS WHAT!!!!! HE SENT JESUS. 

In Hebrews chapter 8, my Bible has the title, “Jesus, High Priest of a Better Covenant” where the writer quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34. In Hebrews 10, starting in verse 12, it says, ”But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sin… For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us…” The passage continues by also referencing Jeremiah 31:31-34. Here we can see these Old Testament promises of a new covenant being fulfilled by the sacrifice of Jesus, the redeemer who came so that we may be forgiven. 

Reflection Questions:

1. In Ezekiel 36, God says, “And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” What steps can you take today to walk with the Spirit in righteousness? 

2. What attributes of God can you see through the establishment of this New Covenant?

3. Given the season of Joy we are in, how can you find joy in Christ as the New Covenant, and how can you share it with others?