The Blood Covenant

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: 1 Samuel 18:3A blood covenant is a biblical principle that permanently unites two people together in marriage, business, or friendship. It is made when the blood of one individual mingles with the blood of another, and the two parties adopt a lovingkindness toward each other, meaning their love surpasses all differences.Jonathan and David’s blood covenant in 1 Samuel 18-19 is a picture of the blood covenant God made with us, through Jesus.After David came into power, the descendants of the former king, Saul, were scared that David would kill them, especially Saul’s grandson, Mephibosheth. But because of the covenant David made with Mephibosheth’s father, Jonathan, Mephibosheth was shown lovingkindness.2 Samuel 9:7 says, “And David said to him, ‘Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.'"Mephibosheth then ratified the covenant first made by his father. King David, who was once Mephibosheth’s enemy, became his friend. Once he ratified the covenant, a transformation took place. Mephibosheth—deformed, dethroned, deceived, and good as dead—was now a son of the King.In the same way, when we change our minds, we take a new King into our lives: Jesus Christ. The blood covenant is not just a biblical principle, it is the subject of the Bible; it is the secret of blessing and the source of boldness.Jesus entered into a blood covenant with God the Father on our behalf. On the cross, the blood of God and the blood of man mingled. As a result, no longer do we live under the tyranny of our emotions, bound to our feelings. We live by the steadfast promise and the saving power of the blood covenant.Adrian Rogers says, “Because of the blood covenant, the meek shall inherit the earth. We’re heirs of God and joint-heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ.”Thank God that God sought us, just as David sought Mephibosheth. We are in the King’s family; whether we feel it or not, our “sonship” is a matter of the blood covenant.Apply it to your lifeAdrian Rogers says, “Jesus came to Earth to make a blood covenant so that we might enjoy what we have with our Lord. Share the wealth of His possessions. And rest in the shadow of His protection.”