November 20, 2005
Scripture:
Scripture:
Can we go back to that 22nd Psalm; we were reminded that the first part of this psalm has the feelings of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. We were reminded that there is a division at verse 21. “Save me from the lion’s mouth” seem to be the last words of the Saviour spoken to the one he calls “My God”, the very one Who brought down the punishment for sin and sins upon Him. There were the “bulls of Bashan”, a picture of Israel, and the “dogs”, the Gentiles, who were causing Him much pain; but the most pain was from “My God” forsaking Him. In Mr. Darby’s translation, there is a period after “Save me from the lion’s mouth.” What is the first thought of the Lord when He comes out of the Calvary battle? To be among his brethren; “Thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns. I will declare thy name unto my brethren.” Sometimes we like to group together Psalms 22–24; the Cross, the Crook, the Crown. But that seems to leave out the chorus, the praising at the end of Psalm 22. His Sacrifice could bring out praising; by Him, but also by us. Let’s go to Psalm 23. This is the same One who is in Psalm 22; here He is the Shepherd, caring for us each day. In Psalm 22 He is the Good Shepherd; in 23, the Great Shepherd; in 24, the Chief Shepherd. In Psalm 24, He is reigning over the earth. So in Psalm 22, part 1—He died Psalm 22, part 2—He praised Psalm 23—He cares Psalm 24—He will reign By the time we get to Psalm 24, we will be His bride. All this flows from Calvary. We can see why He said, “This do remember Me.” Out of that cross has come much blessing.
EG Hymn 57–“Almost persuaded” now to believe, Prayer • Review: We have looked at the:
Hebrews 8:6–13 • Some may say that there are many different covenants in scripture. There are really only 2: the old and the new covenants; the 1st and the 2nd. The 1st was made with Moses on Mt. Sinai. The 2nd will be made in the future with Israel. When you make a covenant, you need 2 parties and a mediator. In the 1st covenant, the mediator was Moses, going between Israel and God; in the 2nd, it will be the Lord, again going between Israel and God. Where does that leave us? We are connected with the Mediator of the future covenant and have the blessings of that future covenant right now without being under it. God set up the 1st covenant on Mt. Sinai with law; it said “Thou shalt” and “Thou shalt not.” In the new covenant, God says “I will.” The 1st covenant was not an everlasting covenant; God knew it could not accomplish what He wanted and what man needed. For hundreds of years, it proved that man could not keep his part and that a new covenant was needful. So God will set up a new one. In this covenant, the mediator will have changed and therefore the covenant will change. The 1st covenant was on the condition of obedience, law; it couldn’t be met. The 2nd will be unconditional. V. 10 says God will put the new covenant on His peoples’ hearts. II Corinthians 3:1–9says that the “new testament”, or “new covenant [Darby]”, is written on the fleshly tables of our hearts. However, we are not under the letter of the covenant, but the spirit of it. “The letter killeth.” We can enjoy the blessings of the new covenant and even more. He says that He will be their God. He is our Father right now. • Vv. 8–12 are almost word for word quoted from Jeremiah 31:31–34. This was written about 650 B.C. It still hasn’t happened yet, but it will one day in the future. EG Hymn 130–To God be the glory, great things he hath done, Prayer