The Sign of the Covenant

Read Genesis 17:9-14

Each chapter of Genesis after chapter 12, seems to add more and more to this Abrahamic covenant. Here we are introduced to what is called “The Sign of the Covenant”. If you are wondering what that means, it is pretty self-explanatory.

What does a sign do? Points you in the direction of something. So this sign of the Abrahamic covenant was meant to point them back and remind them of the realities of this covenant. And the sign that God chose was circumcision, the removal of the foreskin.

Now all the things to choose, might seem like a rather interesting choice, why not a cap that said “Child of Abraham” or a bracelet with the promises engraved on it. Well first remember all of this is about being a descendant of Abraham. It is very much a reproductive blessing, so it would only be right to bear a sign which reminded them of that, especially that their offspring were not to be like the world.

Just like the foreskin they were meant to cut off their old way of living, throw sin away and pursue God in faith.
The circumcision represented a spiritual reality, that their hearts would be circumcised. The old sinful desires and motives would be removed, cut off, that the heart might be freed to wholly pursue God and serve him.

This sign could very easily become an empty ritual, as it did for many Jews. It had to be accompanied by faith, by a truly circumcised heart which loved God.

We have been given new signs, as part of the new covenant; Baptism and the Lord’s supper.
People are baptised and partake of the Lord’s supper with little regard for whether they truly believe in God or not. They have partaken of the Lord’s supper for 30 years and they haven’t changed at all, haven’t grown in their faith one bit.

The empty rituals do nothing for us, the sacraments have no power unless they are partaken with faith, with a belief in what they represent and point us to.

Don’t let baptism, the Lord’s supper, church, bible reading, prayer just become some empty ritual. This box you have to check off to make yourself feel better. You might feel better but you aren’t better. Without true faith that there is something worthwhile and powerful in all these things. That bring you no benefit at all. You are better off doing something else.

Questions:

Do you enjoy the Lord’s supper, what does it mean to you? Does it feel like an empty exercise, just something you do?
What do you think the purpose of the Lord’s supper and communion is for Christians? Is it just ticking off a box, or does it actually have some benefit?