January 26: This is the Blood of the Covenant
Matthew 26:28 (ESV)
“For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Read The Full Devotional Below.
A Covenant That Changes Everything
Picture this: You’re sitting at a dinner table, surrounded by close friends, laughter filling the air. The atmosphere is warm, and the evening feels ordinary. Then suddenly, your host lifts a cup and says something so unexpected, so weighty, that it changes the entire tone of the night.
This was the scene at the Last Supper. What started as a Passover meal—a remembrance of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt—became the foundation of a new covenant. Jesus held up the cup, symbolizing His own blood, and declared that His sacrifice would seal a promise far greater than any the world had ever known.
But what does a covenant really mean in today’s world? And how do we, in the middle of our modern chaos, grasp the depth of this promise? Let me tell you a story…
The Gift of the Contract
There was once a man named David who owned a small but thriving car repair shop in his town. For years, he worked tirelessly, fixing engines, replacing tires, and keeping his customers on the road. His work was his pride, but it was also his lifeline. Without the shop, his family would have little.
One day, David received an unexpected call from the bank. A mistake in his accounting had left him with a massive debt he couldn’t pay. The bank gave him a choice: either settle the debt by the end of the month or risk losing everything—his business, his home, even his ability to provide for his children.
David was devastated. He had no way to raise the money in time. The weight of failure and shame felt unbearable. He spent sleepless nights in his office, staring at the numbers, praying for a miracle.
Then, one morning, a stranger walked into the shop. The man—dressed in a simple suit and carrying an air of calm confidence—introduced himself as Michael. “I’ve heard about your situation,” he said. “And I want to help.”
David, skeptical but desperate, listened as Michael explained his offer. “I’m going to pay your debt in full,” Michael said. “Not just the amount you owe now, but I’ll also cover any future debts your shop might incur. All I ask is that you sign this contract, agreeing to trust me as your partner moving forward.”
The contract was simple but binding. Michael’s offer wasn’t a loan; it was a gift. Yet it required David to let go of his pride, to admit he couldn’t save himself, and to trust Michael completely.
With trembling hands, David signed the contract. That very day, Michael wired the funds to the bank. The debt was erased. David’s business was saved, his family’s future secured. And from that moment on, Michael was not just his partner but also his closest friend and mentor.
Understanding the Covenant
Like David, we all carry a debt we cannot pay—a debt caused by sin. The weight of it bears down on us, and no amount of effort, no “fixing” on our part, can make it right. But Jesus, in His immeasurable grace, steps into our story just like Michael stepped into David’s.
When Jesus lifted that cup at the Last Supper, He declared a new covenant, one not based on human effort but on divine grace. The blood He poured out on the cross wasn’t just a symbolic gesture; it was the payment for our debt, past, present, and future. And all He asks in return is that we trust Him—that we place our faith in the sacrifice He’s made and enter into this covenant relationship.
The Greek word for “covenant” used in Matthew 26:28 is diathēkē, which signifies a binding agreement or will. In ancient times, covenants were often sealed with blood, signifying the seriousness and permanence of the promise. Jesus’ blood, poured out for us, is the ultimate seal—a promise that can never be broken.
Living in the Covenant
David’s story didn’t end with the signing of the contract. His new partnership with Michael changed the way he approached his business. He no longer carried the burden of debt alone. He had a mentor to guide him, a source of wisdom and encouragement. And out of gratitude, David began running his shop with a renewed purpose—not just to make a living, but to honor the gift he’d been given.
In the same way, our lives should reflect the covenant Jesus made with us. Here are three ways to live in the light of His sacrifice:
Rest in His Grace: Stop striving to earn what has already been freely given. Jesus’ sacrifice is complete. Trust that His blood covers your sins and live with the confidence that you are forgiven.
Walk in Partnership: Like David partnered with Michael, we are called to walk daily with Jesus. Spend time in prayer and the Word, seeking His guidance in every decision.
Live Out Gratitude: Let your life be a response to His love. Serve others, share the gospel, and let your actions reflect the freedom and joy that come from being in covenant with Christ.
A Love That Pours Out
Imagine standing in David’s shoes, looking at the contract that changed everything. The relief of knowing the debt is gone. The gratitude for someone who would step in and take on what you never could. This is just a shadow of what Jesus has done for us.
When we take communion, when we hold the bread and the cup, we are reminded of the cost of our freedom. The blood of the covenant wasn’t spilled out of obligation but out of love. It’s a love that sees us in our brokenness and says, “You are worth it.”
And when you let that truth sink in—when you really grasp the depth of what He’s done—it changes you. The covenant isn’t just a historical fact or a theological concept; it’s a living, breathing reality that transforms every part of who you are.
Let’s Close in a Prayer…
Lord Jesus, thank You for the blood of the covenant, poured out for the forgiveness of sins. Thank You for paying the debt I could never pay and for inviting me into a relationship with You. Help me to live each day in the light of Your grace, walking in partnership with You and reflecting Your love to those around me. May my life be a testament to the power of Your sacrifice. Amen.
An Invitation to go Deeper….
This week, take some time to reflect on the covenant Jesus made with you. Write down areas of your life where you’re still trying to carry the burden alone, and invite Him into those spaces. And if you haven’t yet joined the FaithLabz 30-Day Prayer Challenge, now is the perfect time to start. Let’s walk this journey together, leaning into the power of His blood and the promise of His love.
