The Blood Covenant

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: 1 Samuel 18:1-4A blood covenant is a biblical principle that permanently unites two people together in marriage, business or friendship. It is made when the blood of two individuals is mingled together, 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 former King Saul’s descendants were scared that he would kill them, especially his grandson, Mephibosheth. But because of the covenant David made with Mephibosheth’s father, Jonathan, he was shown lovingkindness.2 Samuel 9:7 says, “And David said unto him, ‘Fear not; fear not; for I will surely show thee kindness, for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and I will restore unto thee all the land of Saul, thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.’”Mephibosheth changed his mind and ratified the covenant first made by his father. King David, who was once his 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. He shared the King’s possessions, protections, and personhood.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; 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, we now live by the steadfast promise and the saving power of the blood covenant. We have received the King’s forgiveness, His fellowship, and His fortune.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.”