Wednesday February 8, 2023

Today is Wednesday, February 8 and we are studying what the Bible says about covenant.

Come, abide with me, Lord Jesus. I pause to savor your loving presence and still the restless wanderings of my soul. Open the scriptures to me, speak into my life and teach me the meaning of covenant.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, hear my prayer. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to your pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you are mine, and I am yours. So be it. Amen. (The Wesleyan Covenant Prayer, part 2)

I praise God and seek to learn his truth, recalling the ancient words of the prophet Isaiah.

I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. Isaiah 42:6-7

Pause and Pray

At the Last Supper, Jesus gathered with his disciples in an Upper Room the night before he was crucified. They gathered for the Passover Meal to remember how God rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt and how the blood of a spotless lamb placed over the people’s doors determined who would live and die as the plague passed over. Before Jesus went to Golgotha to shed his blood, he explained that a New Covenant was being established. This New Covenant with God is established through the blood of his Son. The covenant is made for all time through blood shed on a cross and is the fulfillment of many Old Testament prophecies (Isaiah 55:3, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 37:24-26).

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-29

This morning I am reminded that the familiar ritual of Holy Communion I share with my fellow believers, eating the bread and drinking the cup, is the fulfillment of God’s ultimate rescue plan for humanity. My journey to understand covenant has realized an amazing completion – covenants in the Old Testament are sealed with the blood of bulls, lambs and goats as was the custom and practice of ancient people. God’s New Covenant is sealed in the blood of his Son, Jesus. This covenant is for me. It means freedom from slavery to sin and death, forgiveness of transgressions and new life with God in Christ.

Ask: How do I understand God’s covenant with me realized in the sacrifice of Jesus? What is my understanding of the Lord’s Supper and the sharing in Holy Communion?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, thank you for the New Covenant made for me through the blood of your Son Jesus, shed for me on the cross. His blood was poured out for many people including me. His blood was poured out to forgive a multitude of sins including mine. Remind me of this amazing truth and lead me to a deeper understanding of Holy Communion. Open my eyes to this great gift sacrificed for my soul. I read the words from Matthew again and listen for the message you have for me.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-29

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

God is speaking to me through these words of Jesus, instituting the Lord’s Supper for me and for all people forever. I want to hear these familiar words in a fresh way and consider how they apply to my life, my soul, and my existence. I repeat the words and pray for a deeper understanding and new appreciation. Maybe God wants me to understand the New Covenant in light of the Old Covenant. Perhaps God wants to reveal the impact the New Covenant in Jesus has for me personally.

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, I invite you into my heart. Come and reveal places of doubt and confusion and grant me affirmation and peace. Allow me to experience the closeness of your presence and lead me toward the sanctifying grace you promise through the power of your Holy Spirit at work in me. Amen.

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Luke 22:20

I leave this time of prayer, blessed to be included in the covenant of God’s holy people. I go to bless others in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen