The subject of “covenants” can be somewhat obscure or mysterious for us who are gentile Christians. We read about them in the Bible, but because they concern the nation of Israel and their ancestors, we do not think too much about the topic. This is understandable. Even the apostle Paul told the Ephesian Christians to remember they were “once Gentiles in the flesh … and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:11–12). The covenants concerned Israel and not us “strangers.”

When we read the Old Testament we find there was the Abrahamic covenant, the Mosaic covenant, the Davidic covenant, and the priestly covenant. The reason God made so many covenants with Israel was because they were a nation set apart for God for a special purpose. No other nation had such a privilege and responsibility of having such covenants with God!

The greatest covenant of all, which God will make with Israel, is the New Covenant; it was predicted by Jeremiah (Jer. 31:31–40). The fulfillment of this will be with “Israel and Judah” in the future. It will be established upon the finished work of Christ, its basis being His precious blood that was shed: “He is the Mediator of the New Covenant” (Heb. 9:15). As Christians we are intimately associated with this blessed Mediator as His co-heirs (Rom. 8:17)!

Though the New Covenant is not made with us, it is of vital importance to us. Its spiritual blessing of salvation has come to us. Thus the Lord Jesus said, “This cup is the New Covenant in My blood” (1 Cor. 11:25). We remember Him and what He accomplished for us in shedding that precious blood—a blessed privilege for us on this Lord’s Day!