28 January 2010
Psalm 50; Gen. 16:15-17:14; Heb. 10:1-10; John 5:30-47

Yet another announcement of the covenant, after Ishmael. The covenant is not with Ishmael whatever they may have thought. This announcement is more prestigious than ever before, speaking of kings and the covenant as everlasting, which has some implications for what kind of God stands behind this covenant. Up to now Abram hasn’t actually come into possession of anything that was promised. He doesn’t own land and he doesn’t have a child of his own and here he stands at 99. He has some right to question whether God is able to do what He promised but we don’t see that here. The God who makes this covenant has to be able to make it possible for the couple to have a child at a very advanced age, give the territory of the nations to their descendants and make a covenant in perpetuity. That requires not only a powerful God but one who actually involves Himself in the affairs of earth and also one who is Himself everlasting. Finally, there is a condition on the covenant, circumcision. Until now there has been no need of such a provision, as there was no one except Abram in the covenant. It might be a bit graphic to say this but it is interesting that the mark of the covenant is in a private part and also in the procreative organ. The mark is not a public thing and the covenant is continued through the multiplication that is enabled through God’s blessing.

Jesus speaks of the testimonies that attest to Him, the Father’s testimony, John’s testimony, and the testimony of the works He has done. He also equates belief in Himself with believing or knowing the Father. Finally, the word of God testifies to Him and yet those who claim to have the word don’t come to Him, their hearts don’t receive or perceive the truth about Jesus. In the end, Jesus says that the failure of those who have the word of God to believe in Him means that they do not actually believe the word, their connection with God is gone.

The old system required a continuous offering of sacrifices but now the old covenant has been done away with in one man who said, “I have come to do your will” and has fulfilled it. Jesus is the only one who ever lived who did so without sin and in complete obedience to the will of God. That one life, laid down in sacrifice, itself in obedience to the Father, fulfills the covenant on behalf of all humankind. The perfect image of God has not only shown us the way, but has done all these things in order that those of us who believe in Him should receive with Him the inheritance of life. The old covenant has been fulfilled and therefore nullified for those who believe in Him. The mark of the new covenant is the Spirit of God within us.

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!"

O Lord, show thy mercy upon us;
And grant us thy salvation.