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  THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT
  by G.W. North
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Summary: The blood of the covenant is the New Testament, shed for the
remission of sins and benefiting many, not just a select few.

Topics: "Communion", "Covenant"
Scripture References: Exodus 24:8, Matthew 26:28-29, Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20, Romans 5:9, 1 Corinthians 10:16, 1 Corinthians 11:25, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:14

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DESCRIPTION
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G.W. North emphasizes the significance of the blood of the covenant in
his sermon, noting the different perspectives of the Gospel writers on
the cup and the blood. While Matthew and Mark focus on the shedding of
blood for the remission of sins, Luke and Paul highlight the cup as the
New Testament in Christ's blood, introducing the concept of communion.
North points out that the use of 'the cup' signifies its special
importance in the context of the Last Supper, contrasting it with the
more general reference to bread. He underscores that Jesus' sacrifice
extends beyond the immediate disciples to many others, reflecting the
universal nature of salvation. The sermon invites listeners to
appreciate the depth of communion and the covenant established through
Christ's blood.

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CONTENT
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It is noticeable that although Matthew and Mark do not mention the Cup,
both speak of the shed blood, while Luke and Paul both speak of the Cup
and of the blood, but not of its shedding. However, there is that of
which they speak with unanimity, namely all the writers draw our
attention to the real content of the blood -- the New Testament. This is
obviously the most important point. Matthew and Mark use the word 'many'
when speaking of the blood-shedding; the former alone adds that it was
shed for the remission of sins. Luke is very pointed about it, moving
from the wider sphere of 'many' to the more exclusive 'you', while Paul
speaking directly to the Corinthian church uses no such term, but simply
says, 'this cup is the New Testament in my blood, this do ye as oft as
ye drink it in remembrance of me'.

The later apostle adds a further comment upon the rite with this
illuminating question, 'the cup which we bless, is it not the communion
of the blood of Christ?' So we see that Paul, like Luke, does not
mention the blood-shedding at all, neither does he talk about sin or
persons, whether many or few. He does, however, emphasise the Lord Jesus
and the cup and the New Testament and the blood, and by talking of
communion introduces an entirely new dimension. Paul's double emphasis
upon the cup, joined together with Luke's report of Jesus' actual words,
draws attention to the fact that the cup is directly mentioned three
times in all. Add to this the knowledge that both Matthew and Mark also
refer to it in the context of the supper and a significant fact emerges,
namely that in this context a comparatively unimportant item such as a
cup suddenly becomes invested with a very special meaning -- it is the
cup.

There is a noticeable change of language here. When speaking of the
other element of communion, no article is used, 'He took bread'; but
when speaking of blood, the definite article is used, 'the cup' or 'this
cup'. This cup is the New Testament in His blood which was 'shed for
many' -- how many we are not told. When the Lord spoke the words He was
telling those men that, important as they were to Him and the Church,
His blood was not shed just for them, but for many more than they.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/gw-north/the-blood-of-the-covenant/
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