"But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day," says the
Lord. "I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, 'You should know the
Lord.' For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already," says the
Lord. "And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins."
Jeremiah is God's voice, speaking about the promise of the
Lord's new covenant that he will make with his people.
Of course, knowledge of God's "instructions" started with the prophets and others who spoke for God in Biblical times and starts with the Bible and people who speak for God now. However, knowledge is not nearly enough. We need to be empowered and transformed by the Holy Spirit of the living God who will place God's instructions on our hearts and make them a part of us. As important as the scriptures are, the Spirit who inspired them is also the one who is essential for us to understand and live the intent of scripture. The Holy Spirit will inform, transform, and conform God's people to be like Jesus (
2 Corinthians 3:17-18). This promise of a new covenant also runs throughout the New Testament, but the work of the Spirit in this covenant is especially emphasized in John chapters 14-16 as Jesus promises the Comforter or Counselor or Advocate or Helper or Friend (depending on your translation). It is also emphasized powerfully in
2 Corinthians 3, which is probably a spiritual reflection about the fulfillment of God's promise recorded by Jeremiah. Read
2 Corinthians 3 after reading today's verses from Jeremiah. Rejoice that we have this promised time of grace and divine presence available to us in the Holy Spirit!
Almighty God, I rejoice in the sacrifice of Jesus and the work of your Holy Spirit to bring your promise of a new covenant alive in our day. I ask that the Spirit's power, his force, his grace, be at work in me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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