How new is the New Covenant

The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah spoke of the new covenant that would come, 600 years before it came to be (Jer 31:31-34). He revealed that it would shift the keeping of the covenant away from following external rules and regulations to inward transformation of hearts; it would pave the way for ordinary people to get to know God without having to rely on someone else approaching God on their behalf; it promised the forgiveness of sin by the mercy and goodness of God and would remove the hold sin has over people; and it would remove the burden of having to earn salvation through obedience to laws and show that we are saved through God’s grace alone.

Jesus then came and established this New Covenant through His death and resurrection ( Luke 22:20 After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.) We as Gentiles are now included in this New Covenant along with our Messianic Jewish brothers and sisters who also believe in Jesus, because after Jesus’ resurrection we all became one new man in Christ, guided by the Spirit, given a fresh identity: 2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Have you ever thought about the fact that our new covenant is more than 2000 years old by now? How can it still be considered new? The answer lies in the original Hebrew words “brit haddashah”. Brit means covenant, but haddashah means so much more than new. It means fresh. It describes the nature of the covenant, not the time in which it came to be, so that it stays just as new throughout your life as a believer as the day you first entered it.

Pearls to ponder:

If something is left to stagnate, it stops flowing, stops being life-giving, much like a blocked riverway where water dams up and becomes a breeding ground for all sorts of unwanted pests. Keep the awareness of the New Covenant alive in your everyday life – ponder the love, the grace, the truth and the salvation that is always new for you every day! Here are a few suggestions to get started: When you wake up, do not grab your phone and start scrolling. Instead, thank Him for the breath in your lungs; for your position as a child of God; for everything! Read something from Scripture, even if only one verse. Pray from your heart, give Him a minute of silent adoration. Listen to worship music as you get ready for the day. And as you keep the river of the Spirit flowing every day you will become more aware of His presence in your life, and your covenant with Him stays fresh for you!