How does the New Covenant in 1 Corinthians 11:25 connect to Jeremiah 31:31-34? The Scripture Texts “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers … I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people … For I will forgive their iniquity and will remember their sins no more.” “In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’” Key Parallels between Jeremiah 31 and 1 Corinthians 11 •Initiator: In Jeremiah, the LORD promises; in the Supper, Jesus fulfills. •Nature: Jeremiah foretells a “new” covenant; Jesus labels the cup “the new covenant.” •Basis: Jeremiah anticipates forgiveness; Jesus’ shed blood secures that forgiveness (cf. Matthew 26:28). •Internal Change: Jeremiah speaks of the law written on hearts; the New Covenant brings the Spirit who indwells believers (2 Corinthians 3:6; Ezekiel 36:26-27). •Relationship: “I will be their God… they will be My people” finds fulfillment in Christ’s gathered church (1 Peter 2:9-10). How Christ Fulfills Jeremiah’s Promise •Better Mediator—Jesus is the mediator of a superior covenant (Hebrews 8:6). •Better Sacrifice—His blood does what animal blood could never do: take away sins once for all (Hebrews 9:11-14; 10:10). •Complete Forgiveness—“I will remember their sins no more” is quoted in Hebrews 10:17-18 to show the finality of Christ’s work. •Heart Transformation—The Spirit pours love into believers’ hearts (Romans 5:5), empowering obedience not by external compulsion but internal desire. What Becomes New in the New Covenant •New Heart: Regeneration replaces stone with flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). •New Spirit: The Holy Spirit indwells, sealing believers (Ephesians 1:13-14). •New Access: Bold approach to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). •New Community: Jew and Gentile united in one body (Ephesians 2:11-22). •New Mission: Proclaiming the Lord’s death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26). The Cup as an Ongoing Sign •Memorial: We remember the once-for-all sacrifice. •Participation: We share in the blessings of Christ’s blood (1 Corinthians 10:16). •Proclamation: Every observance announces the fulfilled promise of Jeremiah to the watching world. •Anticipation: The meal points forward to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). Living in the Reality of the New Covenant •Enjoy assured forgiveness—no lingering guilt, because God remembers sins no more. •Nurture the Word within—delight in Scripture written on the heart. •Walk by the Spirit—yield to His internal guidance rather than external pressure. •Cultivate intimate fellowship—He is our God; we are His people. •Eagerly await His return—each Lord’s Supper keeps hope vibrant until the day we drink it new with Him (Luke 22:18). Through the cup Jesus placed in our hands, Jeremiah’s long-awaited promise stands realized—an unbreakable covenant secured by His own blood, celebrated until He appears again. |
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