This post is part of a series that will take us up to the Easter holiday that celebrates the Resurrection of our Lord.
Mark 14:22–31 (ESV) – 22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 29 Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” 30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.
The Old Testament is called such because it is a description and history of God’s work through the old covenant, often referred to as the Mosaic Covenant. The New Testament, as you can probably guess, is named so because it focuses on the new covenant, which was put in place through the work of Jesus Christ. The old always anticipated and pointed to a time when the new would come. Jesus told his disciples that the new covenant was dawning through his life and sacrificial death. We remember the new covenant every time we gather around the communion table as the church.
Jesus went to the cross as the final, once-for-all sacrifice. The reason we no longer bring sacrifices as outlined in the Mosaic Covenant is because Jesus is the fulfillment of the sacrificial system. All who trust in the sacrifice of Christ are forgiven of their sin and given the righteousness of Christ. Through faith we are reconciled to God and given eternal life. What a wonderful Savior!
Father, thank you for your Son whose life and death established a new covenant and through whom we are saved. Amen.
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