“Then Moses went down to the people and repeated all the instructions and regulations the Lord had given him. All the people answered with one voice, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.” 4 Then Moses carefully wrote down all the Lord’s instructions. Early the next morning Moses got up and built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He also set up twelve pillars, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent some of the young Israelite men to present burnt offerings and to sacrifice bulls as peace offerings to the Lord. 6 Moses drained half the blood from these animals into basins. The other half he splattered against the altar.
7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it aloud to the people. Again they all responded, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded. We will obey.” 8 Then Moses took the blood from the basins and splattered it over the people, declaring, “Look, this blood confirms the covenant the Lord has made with you in giving you these instructions.”” Exodus 24:1-8 NLT
Lord of the Covenant,
Moses seems to do a lot of going up and down the mountain at this time getting all the instructions for behaviour and property and social responsibility from You Lord. And then a covenant is drawn up, an agreement, a legal contract. And all 12 tribes agreed to keep Your covenant and You would be their all in all God. Not sure I would like to be splattered with blood and it would not have gone on all of them just the front ones representative of the whole. The Lord covered their sins with the blood of sacrifices so they could come before Him.
Jesus at the last supper took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:27). Jesus blood completely forgives all our sin. He was the only pure sacrifice which could appease You, God. His blood was not sprinkled on us it was poured out for us. Today if we can get to worship, if we can take communion or draw into the presence of You, God or at home – help us to give thanks for sin forgiven. And know that it is not rituals that save us but a relationship with You through the blood of Jesus. And as we come to You, come afresh to us and soften our hearts Lord.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 15th February 2025
Oh lead me
To the place where I can find you
Oh lead me
To the place where you’ll be
Lead me to the cross
Where we first met
Draw me to my knees
So we can talk
Let me feel your breath
Let me know you’re here with me
Lyrics: Martin Smith
Soften my heart, Lord
Soften my heart
From all indifference
Set me apart
To feel your compassion
To weep with your tears
Come soften my heart, O Lord
Soften my heart
Lyrics: Graham Kendrick