Jesus Seals the New Covenant

June 9, 2019 Background Scripture: Mark 14:32 – 50; 15 Lesson Passage: Mark 15:6 – 15, 25, 26, 33 – 39 The basis of the New Covenant is the covenant God made with Abram. As we continue our discussion of that original covenant, we note that it was a blood covenant. Blood covenants are sealed, or endorsed, with blood. The blood that is used to endorse the covenant represents the lives of the ones who pledge to be parties to the covenant. God instructed Abraham (God changed his name from Abram) to kill some specific animals and to divide the carcasses in half. The halves were to be placed opposite each other so as to create a path between the pieces. The parties to the covenant were then required to walk between the pieces to indicate they were pledging their lives to uphold the provisions of the covenant. This was the nature of a blood covenant. The parties to the covenant pledged their allegiance to it by declaring that they would literally put their lives on the line to uphold the provisions of the covenant. This was the ultimate covenant that was ratified in blood. Abraham observed that God passed between the carcasses alone. This indicated to Abraham that God was unilaterally pledging His life to uphold the provisions of the covenant He made, irrespective of Abraham. The New Covenant that Jesus introduced is a fulfillment of the Old Covenant. Therefore, it must also be the same type of covenant as the old—a blood covenant. For the New Covenant that Jesus instituted to be ratified, it would therefore require blood. However, this covenant would not be ratified with the blood of animals as in the case with God and Abraham. The New Covenant would be ratified with the lifeblood of Jesus. This would signify that the covenant was now put into effect and Jesus had given his life to uphold the provisions of it. Today, we can note the similarities between a blood covenant and the provisions in a “last will and testament” that are prescribed by western law. The provisions in a last will and testament are only put into effect when the testator dies. Upon the death of the testator, the will becomes the legal document that outlines the steps to take in regard to the disposition of the estate of the deceased. If the will names an executor, that person becomes the legal representative for the estate of the deceased. Jesus’ death on the cross of Calvary put all of the provisions of the New Covenant into effect. In a word, Jesus’ death sealed the New Covenant. A “last will and testament” can be amended and changed as long as the testator is alive. Heirs can be added or deleted and the provisions changed however the testator desires. Once the testator dies, the heirs and provisions in the will at the time of death are sealed and there can be no other amendments to it. All that remains is for the executor of the estate to execute the provisions in the will. The lifeblood of Jesus sealed the New Covenant. Jesus told his followers that he was giving his life to uphold the provisions of the covenant. The resurrection of Jesus did not reverse the seal of the New Covenant. Rather, Jesus rose from the grave to take the office of executor of his own estate. The provisions of the New Covenant are now in effect throughout eternity. Robert C. Hudson May 10, 2019