One summer my son found work selling knives and kitchen tools for a well known U.S. company. He had to reach out to an adult contact list: people from church, neighbors, grandma, and friends of his parents. Not everyone wanted to purchase something. Many politely listened, giving him the opportunity to make a persuasive sales presentation; he even demonstrated the sharpness of a pair of scissors by cutting a penny in half, but in the end, most didn’t buy. Those who did bought out of love for my son, because they knew him as a friend.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew people became enslaved to the Egyptians. God sent Moses, one of their own, to lead them out of bondage. Through Moses God worked many miracles of judgment upon Egypt. In the wilderness, God performed many life-giving miracles to help the Israelites. Yet, as a people, they regretted having left Egypt and slavery and returned to idol worship. Only two adult men who came out of Egypt actually loved The Lord and entered the Promised Land. Joshua and Caleb had followed The Lord fully. (Deuteronomy 34:10-12; Numbers 32:11-12)

In the New Testament, God sent His only Son, as one of their own to the Jewish people, that those who believed in Him would have everlasting life. Lord Jesus proved Who He was by the demonstrations of His authority. He healed the sick, cast out demons, opened the eyes of the blind, and raised the dead. Many believed. Yet after His death and resurrection, during a time of Roman occupation and persecution, only about 120 true disciples remained as followers. (Acts 1:15) They knew the Lord, had seen His resurrection, and loved Him. They would be the recipients of Holy Spirit baptism. (Acts 2)

Persuasive words may be spoken. Demonstrations of divine authority might be displayed. But true friends of God, and His Son, Lord Jesus, will remain even through dark times, fully obeying Him.

The covenant we have with Lord Jesus is as that of the marriage covenant, “in sickness and in health, for better for worse, for richer for poorer.” Commitment in the mind. Love in the heart.

Without commitment and love, we are not fully following God.

Lord Jesus stated, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)

Those who love Him and keep His commands will move into the abundant life. They will live full lives filled with Holy Spirit. They will walk in God’s power. They will fulfill their lives’ purposes.

The marriage covenant is about responsibility. We must uphold our side of the commitment, even in times of difficulty—the wilderness, even in times of political turmoil and occupation. He will keep His side of the covenant as well: “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” is the promise God gave to the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

The promise made by Lord Jesus to His disciples, His last Words before ascending to the throne, “I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20)

Are you keeping your half of the marriage covenant with Lord Jesus?

My honeymoon was spent in Niagara Falls, 1988. It is a place where three waterfalls meet at Niagara Gorge. Part of the Falls is on Canadian territory, the others are across the border in the United States. When the water roars down upon the rocks below, a great cloud of mist rises up into the air above. On a sunny day, a rainbow forms over the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side. The sight is spectacular, awesome, and memorable.

The rainbow is a sign of promise in Scripture. God says that never again will He destroy all flesh by flooding the Earth. God made this covenant between Himself and the Earth, all living flesh, Noah and his family, and every living creature. (Genesis 9:8-17)

God initiates a covenant between Himself and man. A covenant is a divine ordinance which comes with signs or pledges. The Rainbow Covenant brought about newness to the Earth and a new beginning for man.

God’s covenants also bring life, as did the Rainbow Covenant.

Lord Jesus also brought a covenant. He was able to do so because He is the Son of God. He did what He saw His Father doing. His Father was ready to make a new covenant. (John 5:18-20; Matthew 26:39,42)

The New Covenant came with signs too—the wine and the bread of Communion, representing, the Blood and Body of Lord Jesus. (Luke 22:19-20) But it is the wine, His Blood, that made the New Covenant.

This New Covenant couldn’t have been ratified without the death of sin. Sin killed Lord Jesus. In the same way, the rainbow covenant couldn’t have come into being without the death of sin. Those who died in the Great Flood were sinners who would not acknowledge God. They sinned.

The wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)

The sin of the world was washed away by the flood.

The sin of the world was washed away by the Blood of Lord Jesus. (John 1:29)

The New Covenant of Lord Jesus went beyond the Rainbow Covenant. The Rainbow promised life on Earth. The New Covenant promised abundant life on Earth and eternal life in Heaven.

Lord Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me.” (John 14:6)

You can only have your sins washed away by receiving Lord Jesus as your personal Savior. He is the One Who made the New Covenant for all flesh.

This is the only way to be saved from death, eternal death (Hell), just as Noah and his family were saved from Earthly death.

30 years later, my spouse and I returned to Niagara Falls on our wedding anniversary. The Falls had not changed. Neither do God and His covenants change. He is eternal. His promises remain true through all generations.

Have you been washed in the Blood of Jesus to remove your sins?

LOOK UP!