Agreements, contracts, covenants. Sometimes they are written, sometimes they are verbal.
They are sure to constitute two aspects: Content, and A Sign.
Regarding the content, we cannot exercise justice (claiming ‘rights’) without it because this is where ‘what is right’ is defined. We cannot exercise grace (showing undeserved favour) without it because this is where ‘what is deserved’ is defined.
Once the content is defined, a sign is required to show that the agreement exists:
In business it can be a signature, or a handshake. In marriage, a ring.
In the Torah, God first used a rainbow as a sign for the ‘I will not flood the earth again’ covenant [Bereshis9|Genesis9]
The sign of the ‘covenant with God’s people’ was circumcision. [Ber17|Gen17]
The sign of the ‘new covenant’ is blood - Jesus’ blood - because “… without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness …” [B’rC:MJ9|NT:Heb9]”. Jesus tried to explain this to his disciples with the cup of wine [B'rC:Mark14].
So when I drink communion wine, what is the agreement that I am remembering?
[912:3319]
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