Hello siblings
Perhaps you knew that ‘Maundy’ refers to a mandate or covenant. So in the countdown to Y’shua’s death and resurrection, the reference to Maundy Thursday reminds us of the new covenant Y’shua offered to the disciples before His death. Today’s Holy Nougat offers some insight.
Luke 22:20 CEVDCI
[20] After the meal he took another cup of wine in his hands. Then he said, “This is my blood. It is poured out for you, and with it God makes his new agreement.
The New Covenant 1
Firstly, let’s remember: a covenant isn’t always a commandment; but a commandment may be part of the terms of a covenant. A covenant is a solemn, sacred agreement setting the tone for a relationship between two separate parties. Although used primarily to describe the agreements between God and humans, humans also make covenants between themselves. In either case, they are intended to be unbroken. The gravity and symbolism remain.
Self-Check
Do we view covenants as legally binding? What priority do we give to covenants?
Deeper Dive
The disciples should have been familiar with covenants. YHWH established generational covenants with Noah (see Genesis 8-9), with Abraham (see Genesis 12; 15; and 17), with Moses at Mt Sinai (see Exodus 19-24), and David (see 2 Samuel 7). Those covenants helped define the nature of the relationship between God and God’s people. Many covenants were sealed with blood, symbolising that they were binding ‘unto death’.
For each of the aforementioned covenants, as well as in our Nougat, we note that the initiative for the covenant comes from God. We also note that in this new blood covenant, it is God Who died when we reneged. Siblings, what great love this is!
It is no wonder that Y’shua stated, there is no greater love than a man dying on behalf of his friends. This is what we remember each time we partake of the feast. Reenacting not only brings the covenant to memory, but we reaffirm our inclusion in the covenant.
It is that straightforward. Hence we are reminded in 1 Corinthians 11:26 that each time we reenact the Last Supper we proclaim Christ’s death and anticipate His return. That’s great news for trying times. Whether we observe Lent or not, as believers we commemorate the new mandate given at the Last Supper each time we partake in the Lord’s Supper.
More on the covenant tomorrow – God’s willing
Point to Ponder
What is most symbolic about the new covenant with Y’shua? May it continue to inspire us throughout this day.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
