The New Covenant
Today I want to discuss the New Covenant and what Scripture may or may not say about it. In our first reading today, the Prophet Jeremiah speaks of a new beginning and also in a line often forgotten in the reading talks about individual responsibility, vv29-30; In those days they shall no longer say: “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.” But all shall die for their own sins; the teeth of everyone who eats sour grapes shall be set on edge. In other words, no longer will children have to pay for the sins of their forebears. Jeremiah was likely saying here that the new Israel will not pay for the failings of the old Nation state. Rather it is the one who rebels who will face the consequencies. Some theologians argue that vv31-34, a very well known piece of scripture does not speak of the new covenant in Jesus but speaks contextually to a renewal of God’s covenant with Israel. There ...