The dictionary defines "communion" as "the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level." Of course, for Christians it is also a sacrament used to remember the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. But there is nothing wrong with using the first definition, either. It is what God was looking for when He promised to establish a new covenant with His people. That new covenant came to pass through the death and resurrection of Jesus, allowing us to know God intimately, as we are known, as we are granted life and righteousness through His Son.
Throughout this passage in Jeremiah 31 there is one person doing all of the "doing." The Lord says, "I will" five times in verses 31-34, and implies it a sixth time. We know, however, that there is no other way. We cannot will these things for ourselves. We cannot accomplish them through our own authority or power or righteousness. They can only be done by the hand of God, who has said that He will make a covenant, put His law in our minds and write it on our hearts, be our God, and forgive our sins. That is work only the Lord can will and do according to His good purpose. We must then respond according to that will. How will you respond to God's grace today?
While studying this week's Scripture I came across the following commentary, and I felt that I should share it:
The shedding of Christ’s blood, by which the atonement was made (for the blood made atonement for the soul, Lev. 17:11), as represented by the wine in the cup; and that cup of wine is a sign and token of the New Testament, or new covenant, made with us. It commemorates the purchase of the covenant by the blood of Christ, and confirms the promises of the covenant, which are all Yea and Amen in him. This will be reviving and refreshing to our souls, as wine that makes glad the heart. In all our commemorations of the shedding of Christ’s blood, we must have an eye to it as shed for us; we needed it, we take hold of it, we hope to have benefit by it; who loved me, and gave himself for me. And in all our regards to the New Testament we must have an eye to the blood of Christ, which gave life and being to it, and seals to us all the promises of it. Had it not been for the blood of Christ, we had never had the New Testament; and, had it not been for the New Testament, we had never know the meaning of Christ’s blood shed. (Matthew Henry's Commentary)
Jeremiah 31:31-36: when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Ezekiel 36:26, 27: I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
Matthew 26:28: For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
1 Corinthians 11:25: In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
Hebrews 9:15: And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death . . . . that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
The dictionary defines "communion" as "the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level." Of course, for Christians it is also a sacrament used to remember the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. But there is nothing wrong with using the first definition, either. It is what God was looking for when He promised to establish a new covenant with His people. That new covenant came to pass through the death and resurrection of Jesus, allowing us to know God intimately, as we are known, as we are granted life and righteousness through His Son.
ReplyDeleteThroughout this passage in Jeremiah 31 there is one person doing all of the "doing." The Lord says, "I will" five times in verses 31-34, and implies it a sixth time. We know, however, that there is no other way. We cannot will these things for ourselves. We cannot accomplish them through our own authority or power or righteousness. They can only be done by the hand of God, who has said that He will make a covenant, put His law in our minds and write it on our hearts, be our God, and forgive our sins. That is work only the Lord can will and do according to His good purpose. We must then respond according to that will. How will you respond to God's grace today?
ReplyDeleteWhile studying this week's Scripture I came across the following commentary, and I felt that I should share it:
ReplyDeleteThe shedding of Christ’s blood, by which the atonement was made (for the blood made atonement for the soul, Lev. 17:11), as represented by the wine in the cup; and that cup of wine is a sign and token of the New Testament, or new covenant, made with us. It commemorates the purchase of the covenant by the blood of Christ, and confirms the promises of the covenant, which are all Yea and Amen in him. This will be reviving and refreshing to our souls, as wine that makes glad the heart. In all our commemorations of the shedding of Christ’s blood, we must have an eye to it as shed for us; we needed it, we take hold of it, we hope to have benefit by it; who loved me, and gave himself for me. And in all our regards to the New Testament we must have an eye to the blood of Christ, which gave life and being to it, and seals to us all the promises of it. Had it not been for the blood of Christ, we had never had the New Testament; and, had it not been for the New Testament, we had never know the meaning of Christ’s blood shed. (Matthew Henry's Commentary)
Adding some relevant passages:
Jeremiah 31:31-36: when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Ezekiel 36:26, 27: I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
Matthew 26:28: For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
1 Corinthians 11:25: In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
Hebrews 9:15: And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death . . . . that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.