We draw closer to our annual remembrance of the last week of Jesus' life. We think particularly of how, in obedience to God, he was willing to undergo terrible suffering to establish the new covenant of God's love. There was no other way.
Jeremiah's ministry was around 627-586 BC. He called the people of Judah to turn from their sins and re-engage in a life faithful to the God of promise.
This profound passage is full of meaning for our understanding of the new covenant (the only time this phrase is used in the Old Testament) to be made between God and his people through Jesus (Hebrews 8.6). The new covenant is compared with the old covenant established at the time of the Exodus.
The old covenant was based on the law (the Ten Commandments), but the new covenant would affect people more deeply. Instead of being written on stone (Exodus 31.18), it would be written on people's hearts. There is nothing cold or external about it; it is not to do with a tick box morality (have I committed this or that sin this week?). It is about a transformed condition of the human heart. Here people will find a new – personal – relationship with God which will renew their minds. In the New Testament we see how this new relationship is based on God's love.
This new covenant will be offered to everyone. We are reminded of the overarching plan to life, often hidden from us. Sometimes we are called to make what seems an insignificant contribution to the developing covenant relationship with God. We must be content with this, though we cannot see either the fruit of our labours or the completion of the plan. Jeremiah's voice was heard by the people of Judah; since then it has been heard by many generations faithful to the covenant promise. Wherever it is heard, no faithful reaction can be regarded as insignificant, unworthy or unproductive.
Psalm 51.1-12
This was written by King David following the prophet Nathan's visit to rebuke him for having committed adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11.2-12.14).
The first words, 'Have mercy on me', suggest that David now depends completely on God's grace for forgiveness. He cannot earn it, nor does he deserve it. What is more, he sees his sin less as his offence against other human beings and more as his offence against God. He understands there is an eternal significance to his life that belongs ultimately to God. A king of Israel was a powerful figure and nothing would have been easier than for David to make himself the divine authority for his people. He has not forgotten, however, that he is God's servant and answerable to him, as are we all both great and small.
Psalm 119.9-16
This psalm reminds us of the demands of our covenant relationship. God has promised to be with the people. They promise to live good lives in fellowship with him. We are to treasure God's teaching. If we stay true to our promises, regardless of how difficult life becomes, we will find happiness and peace. We cannot underestimate the importance of studying and living by God's word. Whereas Jeremiah could see a time when the law would be written on people's hearts, this divine word was already hidden in the hearts of the faithful.
Hebrews 5. 5-10
The author of this letter emphasises Jesus' unique position and the nature of his ministry. Here he shows that Jesus was appointed by God. Jesus' prayers were heard in particular because he submitted himself to God. He did not allow suffering to divert him from God's plan, nor did he let it make him resentful or bitter. Instead, because he learned obedience through suffering, God was able to fulfil his plan. The word 'perfect' here means 'fulfilling the purpose of one's life' rather than faultless. So Jesus became the source of salvation for the world. We are left wondering what would have happened if Jesus had not been so obedient to his Father's will.
Melchizedek was king and priest of Salem, now called Jerusalem (Genesis 14.18-20).
John 12.20-33
We see Jesus' obedience here. He admits it would be wrong to ask his Father to save him from the cross. He would be ending God's plan, central to the fulfilment of God's promise to the world.
Twice we are told this kind of obedience brings glory to God (vv. 23-28).
The saying concerning the grain of wheat (falling to the ground and dying if it is to bear fruit) shows Jesus had to die. By his death God's power over evil and constancy of love is revealed, despite the worst that humans can do.
God also shows that the gift of eternal life is stronger than any kind of death we might have to endure. Jesus warns us that something similar is true for anyone who would become his disciple.
The more you try to take control of your life, the more likely you are to lose it.
Those who follow Christ must follow wherever he may lead, even to the point of death. But the lives of these good and faithful souls, God will honour.
In the New Testament it is clear that death is the consequence of sin (Romans 5.12 ff.). In order to save humanity from the death caused by its godlessness, Christ takes it all on himself on the cross so the consequence is not death but life in him. Where there should be death, Christ brings life. Like David, we depend upon God's grace to receive the forgiveness we need. By grace – 'God doing it for us' – we are granted undeserved forgiveness and God restores us to communion with him.
Just as the establishment of the covenant has always been at God's initiative, so when the promise is broken, restoration is always by God's grace. As we contemplate Christ's passion we cannot avoid being caught up in the glory of God's love.