Covenants Part 4- What can we deduce from Jesus’ teaching on Commemorating the New Covenant?

We have looked at the Covenant of Redemption; how it was an agreement within the Godhead made before time. Also we pointed out that we did not make a contribution to this covenant because it was a matter between the Father and the Son, and we had not been created yet. We made it clear that Jesus paid the price of the covenant by performing the work. Then we pointed out that we are asked not to contribute works to this covenant, but to believe in the one who did the work of redemption, Jesus Christ.

Now I need to say, as the Book of James reminds us forcefully, that that belief, if it is real faith, will result in good works. But first we need to believe. Everything starts and flows from our life in communion with God. Everything starts and flows by faith, working through love. Back then to the emphasis on believing, and what we can learn from the rituals Jesus used and authorized.

Symbolism in Holy Communion

We can see this emphasis on faith in the finished work of Jesus modeled in the Holy Communion.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."   Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered 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.    (Mat 26:26-28 NIV)

Jesus started this ritual, and commanded that it be continued. Jesus was to offer his body and shed his blood of the covenant. He would fulfil the Covenant of Redemption. This has now been done. The covenant commitments have been performed (John 19:30) at indescribable cost. We still celebrate and remember today as Jesus asked us to.

It was Jesus who shed the blood. We merely celebrate and remember by using the token of wine. It was Jesus who allowed his body to be broken. We merely remember by breaking bread.

The price we pay is simply symbolic identification and association with what Jesus did.

This illustrates for us that we do not work for our redemption and salvation. We believe and commemorate and proclaim what has been done for us. We use symbolism and tokens. The work has been done. We partake in a finished work by believing and identifying with it symbolically. In the Christian life, we stand in faith on a victory won for us. We do not fight for a victory. We stand on and we proclaim a triumph we have come to believe in.

 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their (mortal) lives unto the death.    (Rev 12:11 KJV)

We overcome by first believing and then standing. The only fight is in the maintaining of belief. We fight the good fight of faith. If there are trials and obstacles, whether inward or outward, we need to see the answer in pressing in to a deeper faith and rest in God, in His love, wisdom, powerfaithfulness and goodness. 

We need to see that we are invited and positioned to live in a flow of life from the Throne of God, and never to be made adequate in only ourselves. The flow is to us and out into the world around us. 

Application

What does this mean in practice? It means we learn to come to God in faith, opening our hearts to Him in worship, fellowship and prayer. We learn to recognize, enjoy and encourage His presence; ever deeper. We then live our lives from this place willingly and naturally.

It means we stand against temptation when it comes. We do not look for victory. We believe we have already within us the victory over sin, the world and the devil. This is the truth. We simply stand against the devil and evil. When circumstances seem hard, we maintain our faith in and confession of God’s goodness. We continue to commune with Him. If we fail in any way, we confess and ask for restoration quickly, rather than lingering in doubt about God’s existence or goodness. 

Our battle is an identity battle. We must believe and stand in faith in who we actually are in God's evaluation. God has accounted righteousness to us, by faith, along with Abraham (Gen 15:6, Rom 4:3, Gal 3:6, James 2:23).

We are righteous and we stand by that righteousness.

Symbolism in Baptism

The symbolism of baptism is similar in this way to that of Holy Communion. It is Christ who died and Christ who was raised by the power of the Holy Spirit. What we do is identify with these costly events by a brief and painless physical act. Yet we are aligning ourselves with events which cost the Godhead everything that was dear to them.We die to sin and an old corrupted identity and are raised to newness of life by belief and symbolic identification. The belief is the weightier part.

Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.    (John 6:57 NIV)
 

Only Christ has truly living and truly righteous substance to give. He gives of himself. We feed on him. We believe and receive, supernaturally. What we receive is eternal life. A life which is worthy of everlasting endurance. A life which will be eternally enjoyable.

Speaking of which....

The Curry Symbolism

 

This one is not Biblical but works for me! I like curries and was tantalized by a description on a restaurant menu recently. I was offered ‘tender lamb bound in a rich and fragrant ragout’. Naturally I ordered and indeed enjoyed. Such was my passion that the manager said he would make sure the same curry was available when I was next likely to visit.

I had also been reading the New Living Translation. This is its rendition of John 10:10b.

My purpose is to give (you) a rich and satisfying life   (John 10:10b NLT) 

I am always on the lookout for a rich and satisfying curry! Your symbolism may differ. Our life in Jesus should be rich and satisfying, whether enjoying your favourite foods or ministering to the poor, or wherever God leads you and whatever he leads you to do..It is an imparted life. If your life is not these things, seek God’s face repeatedly until it is and remains so.  Don’t settle for appearances, superficial procedures or just abstract concepts. Don't worship your own history with God either. Pursue present heart realities.