Chapel This Morning

Today's story is from Exodus 24. The Lord calls Moses, Joshua, Nadab, Abihu, and the seventy elders up on the mountain.

The Israelites had heard the word of the Lord. They promised to cling to the commands He gave (the commandments and the feasts). Moses sacrificed the burnt offerings and the peace offerings. Half the blood was sprinkled on the altar. The rest of the blood was sprinkled on the people: "This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words."

Turns out that the people didn't do what they promised. They didn't cling to God's word. They didn't obey. They went their own way. (Surprised?)

Jesus, however, would cling to the words of the Father. He would obey it all. He would hold it sacred, and gladly hear and learn it. He would be the new Israel who actually kept the promise to follow the Lord. And then He would be the sacrifice and the peace offering. His blood would be poured out on the altar. His blood would be on the people (Mt 27:25). His word would guarantee: "This cup is the new covenant in my blood which is shed for you."

We couldn't keep the old covenant, the one from Exodus 24. But He makes a new covenant. And He keeps it even though we don't deserve it.