Do this in remembrance of me
It is now time to return to the new covenant and study it in greater depth. In Chapter 6 we had a brief overview of this subject and covered two aspects of the new covenant. First, we found the New Testament defines the Sinaitic Covenant just the way the Old Testament did as comprising both the Ten Commandments and the other laws which were an application and interpretation of the ten principles. The New Testament specifically mentions “the tables of the covenant” (Heb. 9:1–4), “Letters engraved on stones,” as referring to the “first” or “old” covenant.
Second, we saw that the old covenant, while being a revelation of truth, was very incomplete and fragmentary. The new covenant revelation of Jesus, on the other hand, is a “better” revelation because, unlike the laws of the old covenant, Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory and He is the exact representation of God’s nature (Heb. 1:1,2). Thus we concluded that if the two covenants were to come into conflict, the new covenant would always take precedence over the old.
Jesus, the new covenant
Jesus is the new covenant. He is the Elect of God. As we read in Isaiah 42:6, a prophecy of the coming Messiah, “I will appoint you [The Messiah] as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations.” “I will keep You and give You for a covenant of the people” (Isa. 49:8). “For on Him [Jesus] the Father, even God, has set His seal” (Jn. 6:27).
But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant which has been enacted on better promises (Heb. 8:6).
The old covenant partners were God and the “sons of Israel.” The new covenant partners are the Father and Jesus. Jesus is the one who rendered perfect obedience to His Father’s will. We enter into that covenant by faith in Him. Over and over again we hear Jesus saying,
My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work…I do not seek my own will, but the will of Him who sent Me…I have kept My Father’s commandments (Jn. 4:34; 5:30; Jn. 15:10).
On that Friday afternoon when our Covenant Keeper was dying on the cross for our sins, His last words were, “It is finished” (Jn. 19:30). Just before these triumphant words we read, “Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished…” (Jn. 19:28). He finished the work!
Jesus only
In the old order of things at the very center of the camp of Israel was the tabernacle of the covenant, and in the center of the Most Holy Place was the ark of the covenant and in the ark of the covenant was the covenant and above the mercy seat was the shekinah glory. At the death of Christ, however, the old order of things came to an end.
And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Mk. 15:37, 38).
In the new order of things we see Jesus only.
- Jesus is the way (Jn. 14:6)
- Jesus is the truth (Jn. 14:6)
- Jesus is the life (Jn. 14:6)
- Jesus is the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10:11,14)
- Jesus is the light (Jn. 8:12)
- Jesus is the door (Jn. 10:7)
- Jesus is the first (Rev. 22:13)
- Jesus is the last (Rev. 22:13)
- Jesus is the I AM (Jn. 8:58)
- Jesus is the unique Son (Jn. 3:16)
- Jesus is the beloved Son (Jn. 3:17)
- Jesus is the bread of life (Jn. 6:48)
- Jesus is the water of life (Jn. 7:37, 38)
- Jesus is the resurrection (Jn. 11:25)
- Jesus is the judge (Jn. 5:27)
Throughout the Gospels the constant endeavor is to move the focus of the people away from Sinai to Jesus. Why? Because God no longer dwells in the tent of the tabernacle of testimony (or the temple) but is now tabernacling in the person of His Son, Jesus, and through the Holy Spirit He indwells in the Christian.
The discerning reader of the New Testament will see a parallel between the life of Jesus, who is the new covenant, and certain things connected with the old covenant. In the parallel, however, there is also a contrast. Jesus is much, much better! Consider the following.
Israel, as a nation, was born at the exodus from Egypt. Thus, we read of the birth of Jesus,
And he [Joseph] arose and took the Child and His mother by night, and departed for Egypt; and was there until the death of Herod; that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, “Out of Egypt did I call My Son” (Mt. 2:15).
In the old covenant God gave the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai. In the new covenant Jesus went to the “Mount” and gave His people His blessings (Mt. 5:1–12). In the old covenant six of the Ten Commandments dealt with man’s relation to man. It is no accident that Jesus quotes six of the old covenant laws, some from the Ten Commandments and some from the “book of the law” and then says, “But I say to you…” In so doing Jesus shows that He is the one who understands the true meaning of the old covenant law and has authority over the old covenant law.
- You have heard that the ancients were told, “You shall not commit murder.”…But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty (Mt. 5:21,22).
- You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery”; But I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart (Mt. 5:27,28).
- And it was said, “Who ever divorces his wife…” But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the cause of unchastity, makes her commit adultery (Mt. 5:31,32).
- You have heard that the ancients were told, “You shall not make false vows…” But I say to you, make no oath at all (Mt. 5:33,34).
- You have heard it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil (Mt. 5:38–42).
- You have heard it was said, “You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies (Mt. 5:43–47).
What is Jesus doing here? He is showing that He, as the Messiah and Son of God, has authority over the law and can interpret (or even change) it at will. As we noted in the chapter, Jesus and Old Covenant Moral Law, when Jesus taught on a moral law from the old covenant, He felt free to modify and expand the moral laws of the old covenant. We found that the moral and ethical dimensions of Christ’s law are so far above the old covenant moral laws that Jesus could contrast His moral teaching with old covenant moral law. Jesus also modified and expanded the moral laws of the old covenant changing them from legal rules to moral and ethical principles. Jesus modified and expanded the scope of the moral laws of the old covenant moving them beyond laws for Israel alone to ethical and moral principles for every nation tongue and people.
What does the experience on the mount of transfiguration teach?
And He was transfigured before them; and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were conversing with Jesus. And Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles [sacred tents], one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified. Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!” And all at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus only (Mk. 9:3−8).
Peter volunteered to make three “sacred tents,” one for Moses, one for Elijah and one for Jesus. By making this suggestion Peter was unconsciously making Jesus equal with the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah). But suddenly a cloud shuts out Moses and Elijah, the voice of God booms forth—He will have no one equal with His Son!—“This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!” Then they saw no one but Jesus only! While the event of the transfiguration may include other insights, the revelation of the superiority of Jesus over the law and prophets is certainly the central theme.
There are many illustrations that could be given to show that Jesus, and Jesus only, is the center of new covenant truth. He far supersedes the shadowy revelation which lighted the pathways of old covenant history. The underlying motif of all of the controversies Jesus had with the Jewish leaders had to do with who He was and the authority of His word and actions in relationship to the old covenant law and the accepted interpretation of those laws.
“Unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins” (Jn. 8:24).
New covenant law
Because Jesus is the Elect of God; because He is God’s final revelation to man; because He is the exact representation of God’s nature; because He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; because He is the Light of the world; because He always did the Father’s will; because He never did anything but what the Father was doing—because of these things He, Himself, becomes the basis for new covenant law. “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine” (Jn. 8:31). “If anyone keeps My word he shall never see death” (Jn. 8:51).
I have come as the light into the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness…He who rejects Me, and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me commandment, and what to say, and what to speak. And I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me (Jn. 12:46–50).
The words of the covenant
As we saw in our study of the old covenant, the Ten Commandments were the words of the covenant. There was also an expanded version of the covenant: the laws recorded in Exodus through Deuteronomy. We also saw that the covenant’s ongoing sign was the Sabbath. What is the new covenant law or commandment?
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (Jn. 13:34,35).
Part of this “new commandment” was not new. The old covenant had instructed them to love one another. The part that was new was “as I have loved you.” And as we see the way that Jesus loved those dull, slow to learn, stumbling, sleeping, denying, and forsaking disciples, we indeed have a new commandment!
What made other nations know the Israelites were the chosen people? Not the way they loved, but what they ate and what they did not eat; where they worshipped, when they worshipped, the clothes they wore, etc. However, in the new covenant, Christ’s true disciples will be known by the way they love!
This commandment to love is repeated a number of times in the New Testament, just as the Ten Commandments were repeated in the old.
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments (Jn. 14:15). He who has My commandments, and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him (Jn. 14:21). If you keep my commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s command- ments, and abide in His love…This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you (Jn. 15:10 –12).
You are My friends, if you do what I command you (Jn. 15:14). This I command you, that you love one another (Jn. 15:17). And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us (1 Jn. 3:23). And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also (1 Jn. 4:21).
The Book of the Covenant: the New Testament
As the old covenant had an expanded version of the Ten Commandments, known as the book of the law, so the new covenant contains more than just the simple command to love one another as Christ loved us. We have the Gospels which demonstrate how Jesus loved us enough to give His very life so that we might be saved. We have in these records the additional words of Christ. Then, in the epistles we have interpretations of the love and work of Christ. Like the old covenant, some of the interpretations of the covenant are moral and eternal and some are specifically set forth for the culture in which the writers lived.
The epistles interpret and apply the meaning of Christ’s life, death and resurrection, and this application is valid for all peoples and time. They also contain instructions which are clearly intended for a specific culture, time and place.1
So the core, or heart, of the new covenant is to love one another as Christ loved us. This is expanded and interpreted in the rest of the New Testament, and also becomes part of the new covenant.
New covenant signs
The sign of the Abrahamic Covenant was circumcision,2 and the sign of the Sinaitic Covenant was the Sabbath.3 As both covenants applied to the children of Israel circumcision served as the entrance sign for the old covenant and the sign Israel was to “remember” was the Sabbath. What are the signs of the new covenant?
The entrance sign of the new covenant is baptism. When Jesus came to John the Baptist, John said:
I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me? But Jesus answering said to him, “permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Mt. 3:14,15).
The “us” in the passage above is plural indicating that Jesus is being baptized, not only for his own compliance with the way of salvation, but also as an example for us. We see in this incident reflections of an Old Testament event. When Moses was on the way to Egypt to deliver Israel, he was met by the Lord, who “sought to put him to death” because his sons were uncircumcised. Quickly the rite of circumcision was performed and the Lord then permitted him to continue His mission of deliverance (Ex. 4:24−26). So in the new covenant when Jesus is on His way—starting His ministry—he accepts the sign of the new covenant, baptism, and then goes on to deliver “Israel.”
In the great commission passage in Matthew 28:19,20 we read:
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
The following diagram will help show how this passage is constructed in Greek.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations:
1. Baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
2. Teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;
And lo,
I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
The way to make disciples was first to baptize them,4 then teach them to observe all that Jesus taught—how to love as He loved.
We find the same order in the old covenant. The people of Israel were first to be circumcised and then, as members of the covenant community, they were to receive ongoing instruction.
It is of interest to note that every time the New Testament uses the words “into Christ” it is in connection with baptism.
Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? (Rom. 6:3).
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (Gal. 3:27).
And in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands…having been buried with Him in baptism (Col. 2:11,12).
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body (1 Cor. 12:13).
Baptism fills the place in the new covenant that circumcision filled in the old. It is the entrance sign or ceremony into the covenant community.
Having shown this, we must also remember that baptism, per se, does not have effective force. We are not saved by baptism, rather we are saved by belief in Christ. Baptism is the outward sign that we have committed ourselves to Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.
What is the continuing, repeatable sign of the New Testament that we are to “remember”?
And while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And He took a cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is to be shed on behalf of many for forgiveness of sins” (Mt. 26:26 –28).
Do this in remembrance of Me…This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood (Lk. 22:19,20).
While there is yet much to discuss regarding the new covenant and its relation to the old which will shed light on our study of the Sabbath, nevertheless we are ready for the following comparisons:
Covenant partners
- The old covenant: God and Israel
- The new covenant: The Father and Jesus
Words of the covenant
- The old covenant: Ten Commandments
- The new covenant: Love as Christ loved
Book of the covenant
- The old covenant: Genesis to Deuteronomy
- The new covenant: Gospels and epistles
Entrance sign
- The old covenant: Circumcision
- The new covenant: Baptism
Remembrance sign
- The old covenant: Sabbath
- The new covenant: The Lord’s Supper
Chapter Summary
- The center of the new covenant is in the person of Jesus.
- Because of who Jesus is (God tabernacling in the flesh), His revelation of truth greatly supersedes that given in the oldcovenant.
- The Sermon on the Mount shows that Jesus’ authority isgreater than that of the old covenant.
- The experience of the transfiguration teaches that God doesnot want His Son made an equality with the old covenant. We are to see “Jesus only.”
- The new covenant in summary form is: “And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.”
- Our duty to God is to believe in Jesus.
- Our duty to man is to love as God loved us.
- The new covenant, in expanded form, is recorded in the gospels and epistles. These interpret and apply the basicmessage of belief in Christ and love for our fellow men.
- The entrance sign in the new covenant is water baptism andthe sealing of the Holy Spirit.
- In the new covenant the Christian is to “remember” thecontinuing sign of the Lord’s Supper.
Endnotes
- See 1 Cor. 11:6.
- Gen. 17:9–14.
- Ex. 31:13–17.
- As soon as they respond to the gospel.
- 15. New Covenant Documents and Signs - June 19, 2025
- Christ Follower: You Are Righteous - June 12, 2025
- 14. Sabbath in the Epistles - June 12, 2025