December 6: Jeremiah 31:31-34 / 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

“Behold the days are coming” Jeremiah said – words of promise and hope. God promised a new covenant with his people – unlike the old one they “broke”.   That word “broke” reminds us of Moses throwing the tablets and literally breaking the covenant God just gave him.  Truly a sign of things to come.

But God had a plan – a new way, a new covenant in the making – not written on stone, but on our hearts – in the blood of his own Son. Paul wrote in Corinthians: “On the night in which he was betrayed,” Jesus took bread and he took wine and declared: “THIS is the new covenant, in my blood” – His body given, his blood poured out. Hours from that moment the word he spoke came to pass, his life sacrificed saving ours, receiving the punishment for our sin so that as Jeremiah spoke, God would forgive OUR sin and remember it no more.

Scripture speaks of the many ways that God spoke to us, but now he speaks to us through His Son, Jesus, the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us, gave birth to a living covenant.  Jesus brings the Word to life in us, to love us and forgive us.  As we prepare for the celebration of Christmas and the coming of our Savior again, may we remember Jesus IS the New Covenant, the ultimate gift of life and forgiveness. Those days that were promised have come, our HOPE is born in Jesus!


Rev. Sue Gunderson
Retired Lutheran (LCMC) Pastor



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