October 19th

Exodus 23:1-24:18, Mark 3:31-4:29, Psalm 22:22-31

It is amazing how much Jesus actually changed, he turned rules, logic, the world and even death upside down. That is a pretty impressive CV.

Take these two verses as an example:

Exodus 24:8 - “Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you”.

Luke 22:20 - In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Yesterday we read all about the death penalty, today we read about sacrifices and we see justice very different to what we know now. But in Christ the death penalty was passed and the sacrifice was made, the old covenant was fulfilled and the new covenant began. Now that does not mean that there is no more punishment or restitution when we do wrong (there would be no justice in that, and we believe in the God of justice) but it does mean that their is a new social order that is sealed in the blood of Christ. Things have changed.!

Those words from Luke’s gospel are words that we use when we share communion in church and they speak of the fact that we are cleansed by Jesus death, Jesus made us right with God and we do not need to make animal sacrifices to get in the right relationship with him. We just need to do God’s will and we are classed as his family (3:35). We need to hear the word of God and accept it (4:20), we need to shine our light for him (4:21-25).

You know the song so you don’t need to watch the clip (but I’ll put it in anyway). It is when we shine our light, when we follow and accept the word of the one true light, Jesus Christ, then we enter the New Covenant with the living God. Go on, let your light shine.

© LZ7