What is this language of covenant the Lord gives us in Jeremiah 31? Recall that in the Scripture a covenant is a holy agreement. In human covenants we make a solemn promise before God to one another. In divine covenants, God is always the initiator and the one who truly promises to keep the covenant. Man is a partaker of the blessings and indeed the recipient of some of the curses inherent in the covenant, but God's promise to all mankind consistently remains intact.
Now we see a new covenant. In the old covenant deliverance is marked with blood of animals on the doorposts of houses. Words of deliverance are passed on using human means and human persuasion. In the new covenant deliverance is marked by the blood of Jesus on the cross. This is God's sacrifice, not man's. Words of deliverance are passed on as forgiveness is proclaimed in Jesus' name, i.e., in his authority by his servants speaking in his stead. Acts of deliverance such as baptism, absolution, and communion are not seen biblically as man's acts, but as God delivering salvation and life to his people. Again, we are looking at God's sacrifice, not man's. This is a fundamentally new covenant.
May the Lord be our God. May we be his people. May we realize that as God has granted deliverance through his work, we ourselves do not speak with persuasive words or shrewd arguments, but we proclaim Christ crucified for sinners.
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