Session #15

Covenant Mediators, Roles, Participants, and Witnesses

Divine Initiative

God sets up the Context and Speaks to Man

• Consider that everything we have reviewed up until now has contributed to the set up for receiving Christ. Hebrews 1:1-2

• Historically there was no better time for Christ to come because the Roman empire being at its largest allowed Christianity to know a minimal boundary for a great length of time as it grew under persecution. In fact, the divided between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church largely arose due to geopolitics at the time.

God’s Faithfulness

• The entire history of Man's relationship with God before Christ characterizes His faithfulness, and Christ only perfects this

• One thing that was never expected that the All-Holy God Himself would first of all be a Trinity and yet one God, still less that He would join one among His persons to what is otherwise fallen humanity Deuteronomy 4:15–16 demonstrates this fact and why it is so hard for the Pharisees to accept the miracles Christ performed as Divine rather than demonic or mere coincidence. Nevertheless, "though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross." Philippians 2:6-8

• Thus, not only did He lower Himself to our Stature He also did so while we put Him there in having been corrupted by sin did not receive Him though we were His and all He has done is love us and invite us to follow Him, to Communion with Him, to be healed by Him. Romans 5:6-11; John 1:10-14

Nature and Structure of the Human Party

Mediator

Jesus, a partaker in both parties human and divine, as can be seen in John 1 and Colossians 2:9.

Covenant Expression / Form of Human Party Bounds

Universal Church, on both sides of death, which includes all validly baptized persons and those God has chosen beyond the sacrament.

Change and Content of the Blessing, Promise, Curse, Reward, and Signs

Reward If Lived

Salvation, eternal life, and a New Creation in Him

• Eternal life to those who believe in him: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” (John 3:36; 6:40); Eternal life – “The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

• His sheep will never perish and cannot be snatched from his hand: John 10:27–29.; He will not reject those who come to him: “Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” (John 6:37)

• Abundant Life and being "born anew"/“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

• Justification (made just) and peace with God – “Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

• Adoption as sons and daughters – “You have received the spirit of sonship… we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Romans 8:15–17; Galatians 4:4–7)

  1. Freedom from slavery to sin – “Sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14, 17–18)

• Resurrection and glorified body –  “I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:39–40); “He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also.” (Romans 8:11; cf. 1 Corinthians 15:42–54)

Presence, guidance, and the Holy Spirit

• abiding presence: “I am with you always, to the close of the age.” (Matthew 28:20); Indwelling Spirit – “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5; cf. 8:9–11)

• Holy Spirit, the Paraclete: John 14:16–17, 26; 16:7–13.

• He and the Father will dwell with those who love him and keep his word: John 14:23.

• Guidance into all truth through the Spirit: John 16:13.

Prayer, mercy, and rest

• Rest for the weary: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28–30)

• The Father hears prayer in his name: John 14:13–14; 15:7, 16; 16:23–24.

• Forgiveness for those who repent and offer forgiveness: Luke 5:20–24; 7:48; the prodigal son (Luke 15).

• Being acknowledged before the Father if we acknowledge him: Matthew 10:32–33.

Beatitudes (promises in the form of blessings)

Each beatitude is both a description of the disciple and a promise:

• “Theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (poor in spirit, persecuted for righteousness). (Matthew 5:3, 10); Inheriting the Kingdom – “If children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.” (Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; Galatians 5:21)

• “They shall be comforted” (those who mourn). (Matthew 5:4)

• “They shall inherit the earth” (the meek). (Matthew 5:5)

• “They shall be satisfied” (those who hunger and thirst for righteousness). (Matthew 5:6)

• “They shall receive mercy” (the merciful). (Matthew 5:7)

• “They shall see God” (the pure in heart). (Matthew 5:8)

• “They shall be called sons of God” (peacemakers). (Matthew 5:9)

• Joy and inner strength amid suffering – “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance…” (Romans 5:3–5; cf. Philippians 4:4, 13)

Discipleship, reward, and mission

• Reward according to labor – “Each shall receive his wages according to his labor.” (1 Corinthians 3:8; cf. 3:14–15; Romans 2:6–7)

  1. Losing one’s life for his sake leads to finding it: Matthew 16:24–25; Mark 8:35.

  2. Reward for even small acts of charity done for his sake (e.g., “a cup of cold water”): Matthew 10:42; 25:31–40.

  3. A “hundredfold” and eternal life for those who leave everything to follow him: Matthew 19:29; Mark 10:29–30.

  4. He is preparing a place for us and will take us to himself: John 14:1–3.

• The gates of Hell will not prevail against his Church: Matthew 16:18–19.

• His return in glory to judge the living and the dead: Matthew 24–25; John 5:28–29.

• Communion with each other like that of the Father and Son, by which it is clear that we are identifiable as Christians.

Curse If Broken

Separation from Christ and loss of life

• “Apart from me you can do nothing” (the vine and branches, John 15:5). A branch that does not remain in him “is thrown away… and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned” (John 15:6).

• He warns that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom, “but he who does the will of my Father” (Matthew 7:21). Those who hear his words but do not do them are like a house built on sand that collapses in ruin (Matthew 7:26–27).

• He states plainly: “He who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:18); refusing the light brings us back under judgment (John 3:19–20).

Exclusion from the Kingdom

• In the parable of the sheep and goats, those who do not show mercy and love to “the least of these” are told, “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41), and “they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matthew 25:46).

  1. God “will render to every man according to his works”: eternal life for persevering in good, “wrath and fury” for those who are selfish, disobedient to truth, and obedient to wickedness (Romans 2:6–8).

  2. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” He lists the persistently immoral, idolaters, thieves, drunkards, etc. (1 Corinthians 6:9–10).

• In several parables (wedding feast, talents, ten virgins), those who reject the king’s invitation, are unfaithful, or remain unprepared are “cast out into the outer darkness” where there is “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 22:13; 24:51; 25:30).

• He warns that those who are ashamed of him and his words, “of him will the Son of man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father” (Mark 8:38).

Loss of communion and inner ruin

• Jesus speaks of sin as slavery: “Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin” (John 8:34). Refusing his word means staying under that slavery rather than living as sons in the house (John 8:35–36).

  1. Paul fears that some may “receive the grace of God in vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1) by failing to let it bear fruit in obedience.

  2. He warns that branches can be “broken off” because of unbelief; Gentile believers stand only by faith and must “continue in his kindness,” otherwise they too will be cut off (Romans 11:20–22).

• He teaches that evil from the heart (unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, slander, pride) “defile a man” (Mark 7:20–23). Not living by his commands destroys the interior temple, even before final judgment.

• He insists that if we do not forgive others, “neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15), showing that refusal to live the covenant of mercy blocks us from receiving mercy.

Final judgment by his word

• Christ says, “The word that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day” (John 12:48). Rejecting his teaching now means those same words will stand against us in judgment.

• He warns of “Gehenna” for persistent scandal and unrepented sin (Mark 9:42–48), using severe language (“their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched”) to show the seriousness of turning away.

• Yet he also says he came “not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:17). The tragedy, then, is that by refusing to live his commands, we exclude ourselves from the salvation he desires to give.

Signs, In light of Other Parts

• Death and Resurrection: If Christ was not divine, not human, or the Resurrection did not truly take place, we are not saved

  1. When Christ entered into solidarity through His Baptism of repentance, he also entered into the very mystery of sin that enslaved us to the domain of death and suffering, and in His resurrection conquered the meaning of the experience and undid the one aspect of death that made it consequential.

  2. Rock and water in the wilderness – the smitten rock from which living water flows, read as Christ.​

  3. Bronze serpent – lifted up for healing, explicitly applied by Jesus to his crucifixion.

• Eucharist

  1. Passover lamb and sacrifices – Christ as Lamb of God and once-for-all sacrifice.

  2. Manna – bread from heaven, fulfilled in Christ as the true bread of life.

  3. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

     1. This pattern continues throughout the history of Israel and is fulfilled ultimately in the Eucharist that Jesus institutes. The Mass we celebrate today starts with the Liturgy of the Word and ends with a Eucharistic liturgy of sacrifice, in which Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is made present (see Catechism, nos. 1362-67). We share Christ’s blood and partake of His crucified and resurrected body in a communion meal. Therefore, when Catholics worship God in the Mass, they are not following the practices invented merely by some human pastor, minister, or theologian; they are participating in the divine order of worship that Jesus established at the Last Supper in the Eucharist—a liturgical structure that God foreshadowed long before, going all the way back to what He revealed at Sinai in the time of Moses. 

        1. Water that flowed from Christ's side and Meribah

        2. CCC 460 Mount Sinai experience

        3. We have been jumping toward Christ in every session now we must reflect on what he has led us to do

• Marriage

  1. Christ discusses, defends, defines, and celebrates Marriage:

     1. The Question on Divorce (clarifies that it was a part of God's plan from the beginning, that the bond is indissoluble)

     2. The Question of Marriage after Death

     3. Demonstrates after describing the greatest form of love is self-sacrifice

     4. Honors celebration of the beginning of marriage in the Wedding feast at Cana

• Confirmation

  1. Embodied in the Pentecost of the Apostles even after it was not that "flesh and blood" has "revealed this to you" and the Spirit will come with all truth

• Reconciliation, Confession, and Penance

  1. Demonstrated to Peter after the Resurrection

• Anointing of the Sick

  1. Demonstrated in the concerns and priority of concerns with the sick and ill of mind, body, and heart/spirit

• Holy Orders: Tabernacle/Temple, priesthood, mercy seat – dwelling of God, mediation of atonement and presence, all fulfilled in Christ.

Historical Context, Timing, and Narrative Setting

History Since Last Covenant

• United Monarchy (Saul–David–Solomon): about 1050–930 BC.

• Divided Monarchy (Israel and Judah): about 930–722 BC (north) and 930–586 BC (south).​

• Exilic / Babylonian Period: 586–539 BC.

• Persian Period: 539–332 BC.​

• Hellenistic Period: 332–141 BC.​

• Hasmonean (Maccabean) Period: 141–37 BC.​

• Early Roman Period (Herodian): 37 BC onward, into the lifetime of Jesus.

Immediate Context - the Life of Christ

Jesus is born a Jew in Roman‑occupied Palestine, under Herod the Great and then Roman prefects like Pontius Pilate. The people live under foreign rule, hoping for God’s promised kingdom and a Davidic Messiah. His life unfolds within Second Temple Judaism: temple worship, Torah observance, Pharisees/Sadducees, synagogue life, and fervent expectation of deliverance.

His Birth (Luke 2:1-7)

How do we know this is a historically valid account and/or that Jesus ever existed?

• There are books out there that address and at least try to answer this question the issue we find is if we question.

• If there is any proof in the text read it is that it reaches beyond itself into the historical time of the event s that are taking place, as we see in verse 3.

• 1 John 4:14-15

Joesph was on his way to do his civic duty and it was there that Mary needed to give birth. They made do with what they got.

What can be noticed about this situation? Is the situation indicative of how Christ will live and die?

• Julius Caesar vs Jesus

  • Power

  • Wealth

  • Esteem

  • Worldliness

• Poverty and Mission

  • Christ's poverty and that of prophets and religous demonstrate their purpose having very little to do with this world and only so insofar as that is our physical location.

• The angels know who Jesus is as we read in John 1, man knew not God when he came. 

• Fun Fact: The name of Joesph's Father was Jacob and Old Testament Joesph of course prefigures the New Testament Joseph

Life and Ministry

1. Birth in Bethlehem; adoration by shepherds and Magi.

2. Presentation in the Temple and finding in the Temple at about age twelve.

3. Baptism in the Jordan by John; manifestation as the beloved Son.

4. Temptation in the desert for forty days.

5. Calling of the Twelve apostles.

6. Public ministry of preaching the Kingdom of God, teaching in parables, working miracles (healings, exorcisms, raising the dead, command over nature).

7. Confession of Peter: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

8. Transfiguration on the mountain before Peter, James, and John. (takes place with Moses and Elijah key figures of the Old Testament)

9. Final journey to Jerusalem.

Death

1. Triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday).

2. Cleansing of the Temple and final public teaching and controversies with religious leaders.

3. Last Supper: institution of the Eucharist and the ministerial priesthood; new commandment of love.

4. Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and acceptance of the Father’s will.

5. Betrayal by Judas and arrest.

6. Jewish trials (before the Sanhedrin, high priest) and denial by Peter.

7. Roman trial before Pontius Pilate (and Herod), condemnation to death.

8. Scourging, crowning with thorns, and mockery as “King of the Jews.”

9. Way of the Cross to Golgotha/Calvary.

10. Crucifixion between two criminals, prayer for his enemies, entrusting Mary and John, final cry and death.

11. Piercing of his side and burial in a nearby tomb.

Resurrection

1. The women disciples find the empty tomb early on the first day of the week.

2. Angelic announcement that Jesus has risen.

3. Appearances of the risen Lord to:

   1. Mary Magdalene.

   2. Other women.

   3. Peter and the Twelve.

   4. Disciples on the road to Emmaus.

   5. Larger group of disciples (e.g., “more than five hundred” at once, as Paul notes).

4. Christ explains the Scriptures and opens the minds of the disciples to understand his Passion and glory.

5. Giving of the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching.

Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)

6. If the resurrection did not happen, then we will find Christ either a legend, liar, or lunatic since that would mean that sin/death won the war. The information we have learned is likely what He taught His disciples as the journey into Emaus and my hope is that you sincerely feel that way after the next session.

Ascension

1. Ascension into heaven and promise of the Holy Spirit.

Other Background/Reflection

Optional: The Division between the Tent of Meeting and the Holy of Holies torn

several modern sources suggest that the thickness of this veil was almost 4 inches thick.

Leviticus 16:2,12-13 

Leviticus 17:4

Exodus 31:7-17

Only priests could enter and they need to be ritually clean, but something changed with Christ 

Matthew 27:49-51 (sometimes "And another took a spear and pierced his side, and out came water and blood" is added)

• God's own heart is opened up for us and we are made able to enter the holy of holies during every mass as where we meet and the mercy seat are no longer separated by a 4in veil

The Making of the Covenant: Rituals and Ratification

God as Primary Maker and Active Party

Grace (CCC 1996, 2000-2001):

Our justification (being made just) comes from the grace of God. Grace is favor, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to his call to become children of God, adoptive sons, partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life....Sanctifying grace is a habitual gift, a stable and supernatural disposition that perfects the soul itself to enable it to live with God, and to act by his love. Habitual grace, the permanent disposition to live and act in keeping with God's call, is distinguished from actual graces which refer to God's interventions, whether at the beginning of conversion or in the course of the work of sanctification. The preparation of man for the reception of grace is already a work of grace. This latter is needed to arouse and sustain our collaboration in justification through faith, and in sanctification through charity. God brings to completion in us what he has begun, "since he who completes his work by cooperating with our will began by working so that we might will it:" 

 The Catholic Church holds that 

Hebrews 12:1-12 - Follow Jesus Hebrews

Hebrews 9:14-16 - The Blood of the Covenant

Human Response: Obedience, Sacrifice, and Failure

Obedience and Reverence

CCC 2001, 1847

Indeed we also work, but we are only collaborating with God who works, for his mercy has gone before us. It has gone before us so that we may be healed, and follows us so that once healed, we may be given life; it goes before us so that we may be called, and follows us so that we may be glorified; it goes before us so that we may live devoutly, and follows us so that we may always live with God: for without him we can do nothing..."God created us without us: but he did not will to save us without us." 

Modeled by the Apostles: To be covered in the next two session

Disobedience and Failure

1. Disobedience is linked to Unbelief, resisting his Lordship and grace...Luke 9:23; Colossians 1:24

2. Judas’s betrayal is a paradigmatic New Covenant infidelity

3. The other Eleven repeatedly fail: they argue about greatness, resist Jesus’ way of the cross, and abandon him in Gethsemane when he is arrested.

4. Peter’s series of failures is especially prominent although not exceptional by any stretch of the imagination: sinking when walking on water, resisting the foot-washing, sleeping instead of praying in Gethsemane, resisting the Lord's teaching, and finally denying Jesus with oaths and curses.

5. Paul Addresses those:

   1. Drifting from the Gospel in heart, mind or practice

   2. Neglecting salvation

   3. deliberately, ongoing covenant disobedience remains a serious offense, though the remedy is found in repentance and Christ’s priestly intercession rather than in renewed sacrifices or a new law code

Purpose of This Covenant

Perfection of Our Imperfections In Whom We See the Essential Aspect of Christ's Mission

1. Adam – His disobedience brought sin and death into the world, whereas Christ (the “last Adam”) brings righteousness and life. In Romans 5:14 Adam is explicitly called “a figure” (type) of the one to come. As the natural head of the old humanity, his fall contrasts with Christ’s perfect obedience. 

   1.  Rebelled against God by eating the forbidden fruit (Gen 3); lost innocence and communion with God. 

2. Abel – the innocent shepherd, offered the firstborn of his flock “by faith” and was murdered by envy (Gen 4:4–10). The righteous sufferer whose innocent blood “cries out” from the ground, Abel prefigures Christ the just martyr. Scripture contrasts Abel’s blood, which cries for justice, with Christ’s blood, which “speaks more graciously” and brings mercy and reconciliation (Gen 4:10; Heb 12:24; CCC 58).

   1. Murdered by his brother out of envy; Abel himself committed no sin.

3. Melchizedek – Priest-king of Salem, “king of righteousness” and “king of peace,” who offers bread and wine and blesses Abraham, prefiguring Christ’s eternal priesthood and Eucharistic sacrifice. Christ’s priesthood is explicitly said to be “according to the order of Melchizedek” (Gen 14:18–20; Ps 110:4; Heb 7:1–17; CCC 58, 1544).

   1. No sin recorded; presented as a righteous and mysterious figure. CCC 58

4. Noah – Righteous mediator through whom a remnant is saved from judgment, Noah prefigures salvation through Christ and the Church. The flood and ark foreshadow Baptism, by which humanity is saved through water and obedience of faith (Gen 6–9; 1 Pet 3:20–21; CCC 56–58, 1094).

   1. Fell into drunkenness after the flood, revealing post-judgment human weakness (Gen 9:20–27).

5. Abraham – Father of faith and covenant, whose trust in God justifies him and establishes the people of God. His willingness to offer his beloved son prefigures the Father’s offering of the Son, revealing radical obedience and faith in God’s promise (Gen 12; 15; 22; Rom 4; Heb 11:8–19; CCC 59–61, 2570–2572).

   1. Showed weakness by lying about Sarah and attempting to fulfill God’s promise through Hagar (Gen 12; 16; 20). 

6. Isaac – The beloved son of promise who carries the wood of his own sacrifice and submits freely, Isaac prefigures Christ’s obedient self-offering. Received back “as from the dead,” he foreshadows resurrection and divine provision of the true Lamb (Gen 22; Heb 11:17–19; CCC 2572).

   1. Repeated Abraham’s deception regarding his wife (Gen 26:7–11). 

7. Jacob/Israel – Bearer of the promises and father of the twelve tribes, Jacob prefigures Christ as the true link between heaven and earth. His ladder vision is applied by Jesus to himself as the mediator between God and humanity, and his wrestling with God models persevering prayer (Gen 28:12; 32:24–30; John 1:51; CCC 2573).

   1. Obtained blessing through deception of Esau and Isaac (Gen 27).

8. Joseph – Beloved son rejected, sold, humiliated, and later exalted to save both his brothers and the nations, Joseph prefigures Christ’s passion and glorification. What was intended for evil becomes the means of salvation through God’s providence (Gen 37–50; Acts 7:9–14).

   1. Exhibited youthful pride that contributed to his brothers’ jealousy (Gen 37:5–10).

9. Moses – Deliverer from slavery, lawgiver, covenant mediator, and prophet through whom God reveals his name and will. Moses prefigures Christ the definitive Prophet and Mediator, though the Law he gave could not free from sin, which Christ accomplishes (Exod; Deut 18:15; Acts 3:22–23; Acts 13:39; CCC 2574–2577).

   1. Disobeyed God by striking the rock in anger, barring him from entering the Promised Land (Num 20:11–12).

10. Joshua (Yehoshua) – Successor of Moses who leads God’s people into the Promised Land, sharing the very name of Jesus (“The Lord saves”). His leadership foreshadows Christ leading humanity into the true and eternal rest (Joshua; Heb 4:8–10).

11. Judges as savior-figures (especially Samson) – Spirit-empowered savior figures who deliver Israel from oppression, prefiguring Christ the ultimate Deliverer. Samson’s final victory through death hints at salvation accomplished through sacrifice, while their repeated failures show the need for a perfect Redeemer (Judg; Heb 11:32–34).

    1. Marked by moral weakness, especially Samson’s lust and vengeance (Judge 16).

12. Samuel – Prophet, priest, and judge who anoints kings and mediates God’s word, anticipating Christ’s threefold office as Prophet, Priest, and King. Scripture identifies Samuel and the prophets as announcing the days of the Messiah (1 Sam; Acts 3:24; CCC 64).

    1. Personally faithful, but his sons were corrupt, exposing the limits of human mediation (1 Sam 8:1–3).

13. David – Shepherd-king, anointed one (messiah), warrior and psalmist whose kingdom and throne are promised eternally. David prefigures Christ the royal Messiah, Son of David, whose reign brings definitive victory and peace (1 Sam; 2 Sam 7; Ps 2; Acts 2:30; Acts 13:23; CCC 439, 656).

    1. Committed adultery and murder, though he repented deeply (2 Sam 11–12; Ps 51).

    2. The new David: https://youtu.be/Ygptebk9fgk

14. Solomon – Son of David, king of peace and wisdom, and builder of the Temple, foreshadowing Christ as divine Wisdom and the true Temple. His reign anticipates the harmony of God’s kingdom, though only imperfectly (1 Kgs 3–8; Matt 12:42; John 2:19–21).

    1. Turned to idolatry through foreign wives, fracturing the kingdom (1 Kgs 11).

15. Elijah – Miracle-working prophet rejected by Israel, defender of true worship, and figure associated with the coming of the Lord. His ascent prefigures Christ’s Ascension and his return is linked to messianic fulfillment (1 Kgs 17–19; 2 Kgs 2; Mal 4:5; Matt 11:14; CCC 2581).

    1. Experienced fear and despair under persecution (1 Kgs 19).

16. Elisha – Successor of Elijah who performs abundant signs of healing, life, and multiplication, prefiguring the superabundance of Christ’s miracles and mercy (2 Kgs 2–13).

17. Jonah – Sent to the Gentiles and preserved three days in the depths, Jonah is explicitly identified by Jesus as a sign of his death and resurrection. His mission anticipates the universal scope of salvation (Jonah; Matt 12:39–41; CCC 627).

    1. Fled God’s call and resented divine mercy (Jonah 1; 4).

18. Jeremiah – The persecuted “man of sorrows” who announces the New Covenant written on the heart, foreshadowing Christ’s suffering and redemptive mission (Jer 31:31–34; Lam; CCC 64).

    1. Suffered despair and lamented his mission, though remained obedient (Jer 20:7–18).

19. Daniel – faithful sufferer delivered from the lions’ den; his vision of the “Son of Man” shapes Christ’s own self-understanding. “Judge of the living and the dead.” (Acts 10:42) Exalted at God’s right hand (Acts 2:33). Faithful sufferer delivered from death and visionary of the “Son of Man,” whose kingdom is everlasting. His visions shape Christ’s self-understanding and proclamation of final judgment (Dan 6–7; Acts 10:42; CCC 440).

20. Christ is the promised One who was to come, the definitive Mediator sent to answer the single, underlying human problem: life sought apart from God, resulting in sin, division, failed mediation, unjust suffering, and death. In him, God does not merely repair what was broken but recapitulates and perfects the entire human story. Where humanity’s head fell through disobedience, Christ becomes the new Head through perfect obedience, restoring communion and life. Where innocent blood cried out for justice, his own blood speaks a stronger word of mercy and reconciliation. Where priesthood, kingship, prophecy, law, wisdom, sacrifice, and deliverance appeared only in partial, fragile, or compromised forms, Christ unites them fully and incorruptibly in his own person. He brings salvation not by preserving a remnant but by creating a new humanity; not by external law but by a covenant written in his own blood; not by conquest but by self-giving love; not by escaping death but by entering it and overcoming it from within. Every genuine good glimpsed in God’s servants before him is gathered up, purified, and completed in him, while every failure, sin, and limitation they exhibited is decisively contradicted by his holiness, fidelity, and obedience. Thus Christ stands as the true Head, Son, Priest, King, and Prophet—the single, coherent answer to humanity’s fall—through whom what was lost is restored, what was divided is unified, and was mortal is brought into eternal life with God.

Fulfillment of Old Testament Covenants Highest

Adam
Christ fulfills the covenant with Adam by becoming what Adam was meant to be and giving what Adam could not give.

Deeper Explanation as needed: The Adamic covenant was embedded in creation itself: humanity was created in God’s image as son and steward, living in communion through obedience, rest, and care for creation. To live was to remain in covenant; to sin was to rupture creation from within, bringing death. Jesus Christ, the New Adam, fulfills this covenant not by replacing it but by restoring and elevating it. Where Adam failed in obedience, Christ obeys perfectly. Where Adam lost communion, Christ restores it through his Incarnation, death, and resurrection. Creation’s original covenantal purpose is healed and brought to completion in him. Christ subsumes the Adamic covenant into his New Covenant by fulfilling every aspect of it personally. Adam mediated symbolically; Christ unites God and creation in himself. Adam’s signs (image, Sabbath, life) are fulfilled in Christ as the true Image, Lord of the Sabbath, and source of eternal life. Adam’s lost likeness is restored and surpassed through divinization by grace. What Adam failed to give—perfect obedience—Christ offers fully, re-creating humanity from within.

In Adam, creation itself was covenant and its rupture brought death; in Christ, creation itself is healed and destined for resurrection.

• Adam’s failed sonship → Christ’s perfect sonship: His humanity becomes the definitive sign of God-man communion. 

• Adam’s broken mediation → Christ’s eternal priesthood: God himself acts in Christ to recreate humanity, the maker not only of sacrament, but also of .

• Adam’s lost likeness → Christ’s gift of divinization: What Adam was meant to become—likeness to God through participation—is achieved as divinization by grace. 

• Adam’s garden exile → Christ’s Kingdom: His humanity becomes the definitive sign of God-man communion.

Creation itself was the first covenant.
In Christ, creation becomes new creation.

“In Adam, life was lost; in Christ, life is given.”

Noah

Christ fulfills the Noahic Covenant by transforming preservation into redemption.

Deeper Explanation as needed: The Noahic covenant preserves a remnant of humanity and all creation after judgment, promising fruitfulness and that the flood will never again destroy the earth, sealed by the rainbow. This covenant finds its definitive fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who brings not merely temporal preservation but eternal salvation. What Noah’s ark achieved through wood and water—saving a family from physical death—Christ accomplishes universally through the Cross and baptismal waters, which cleanse from sin and give new life. The Church becomes the new Ark, preserving humanity from sin’s deluge and leading creation toward the new creation. The rainbow’s promise of restraint is surpassed by Christ’s promise of redemption.Christ does not simply prevent destruction; he defeats sin and death, fulfilling Noah’s covenant at an eternal and sacramental level.

The flood → Baptism

The ark → Christ and His Church

The rainbow → The Cross and Resurrection

Survival → Salvation

Temporary peace → Eternal communion

Noah gives the world time

Christ gives the world life

Abraham

Christ fulfills the Abrahamic Covenant by becoming the Promise Himself.

Deeper Explanation as needed: The Abrahamic covenant promises fruitfulness, land, and blessing to all nations, grounded in faith and sealed by circumcision. These promises reach their full and final fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true “seed of Abraham,” who establishes the New and Eternal Covenant in his blood. What was promised to Abraham as a familial, ethnic covenant is universalized and perfected in Christ. Justification by faith—already revealed in Abraham—now becomes definitive through Christ’s obedience and sacrifice. Circumcision of the flesh gives way to circumcision of the heart; the promised land expands into an eternal inheritance; and the blessing of Abraham reaches all nations through the Church by sacramental grace. Christ does not replace Abraham’s covenant but realizes its deepest intent: worldwide communion with God through faith and grace.

Seed → Son

Faith → Justification in Christ

Circumcision → New Heart

Curse → Cross

Land → Kingdom

Nation → Church

Blessing → Salvation for all

Abraham believed a promise.

The Church believes a Person.

What Abraham saw from afar, Christ brings near.

Moses

Christ fulfills the Mosaic Covenant by becoming its perfect Mediator, obedient Israel, eternal Priest, true Sacrifice, interior Law, and indestructible Sign—transforming external command into interior communion and temporary worship into eternal life.

Deeper Explanation as needed: The Mosaic covenant is established at Sinai after Israel’s liberation from Egypt. God binds Israel to himself as a holy nation and priestly kingdom, mediated through Moses and conditioned on obedience to the Law. Ratified with fire, sacrifice, and assent, it formalizes worship through the Decalogue, priesthood, and ritual law, offering blessings for fidelity and curses for infidelity. Yet because of human sin, it cannot fully remove guilt; it restores communion only pedagogically, preparing for something greater. Jesus Christ fulfills and surpasses the Mosaic covenant by instituting the New and Eternal Covenant in his blood. Where Moses mediated externally through law and sacrifice, Christ mediates internally through grace. Where Sinai wrote commandments on stone, Christ writes the law on hearts. Where Levitical priesthood was limited and repeated, Christ’s priesthood is eternal and effective. The Law’s purpose—to form a holy people—is accomplished universally in the Church through sacramental grace. Thus, Christ does not abolish Sinai but perfects it, moving from external command to interior transformation, from national covenant to universal salvation, and from provisional sacrifice to definitive redemption.

Or more simply:

• What Moses showed, Christ is.

• What Sinai promised, Calvary completes.

David

Christ fulfills the Davidic Covenant by becoming the eternal Son-King whose resurrected life is the everlasting throne, whose body is the true Temple, whose reign is universal and indestructible, and whose kingship perfects power through sacrificial love.

Deeper Explanation as needed: The Davidic covenant promises an everlasting kingdom: a royal son, a stable throne in Jerusalem, Temple-centered worship, unity of the twelve tribes, and dominion extending to the nations. Though Israel’s monarchy failed historically, God’s promise endured, pointing forward to a messianic fulfillment. Jesus Christ fulfills and transforms this covenant by establishing an eternal and universal kingdom through the New Covenant in his blood. As true Son of David and natural Son of God, Christ reigns forever, not from an earthly throne but from the Cross and in glory. What was national becomes universal; what was temporal becomes eternal. Zion becomes the Church, the Temple becomes Eucharistic worship, the twelve tribes are restored in the twelve apostles, and the promised kingdom extends to all nations through sacramental grace. Christ does not abolish the Davidic covenant but perfects it, making its royal promises definitive and everlasting in himself.

Or in one line:

• The Davidic Covenant promised a throne.

• Christ fulfills it by being the throne forever.

Restoration and Redemption of Humanity

Atonement (CCC 616)

It is love "to the end" that confers on Christ's sacrifice its value as redemption and reparation, as atonement and satisfaction. He knew and loved us all when he offered his life. Now "the love of Christ controls us because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore, all have died." No man, not even the holiest, was ever able to take on himself the sins of all men and offer himself as a sacrifice for all. The existence in Christ of the divine person of the Son, who at once surpasses and embraces all human persons, and constitutes himself as the Head of all mankind, makes possible his redemptive sacrifice for all.

Sonship/Partakers of the Divine Nature (CCC 2009, 460)

Filial adoption, in making us partakers by grace in the divine nature, can bestow true merit on us as a result of God's gratuitous justice. This is our right by grace, the full right of love, making us "co-heirs" with Christ and worthy of obtaining "the promised inheritance of eternal life." The merits of our good works are gifts of divine goodness. "Grace has gone before us; now we are given what is due... Our merits are God's gifts."

The Word became flesh to make us "partakers of the divine nature": "For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God." "For the Son of God became man so that we might become God." "The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods."

Growth of Communion and the Kingdom

1 Peter 3:18-22, Romans 5:6-11

Much like the Pharisees felt about others, we may feel for ourselves. In all truth we have chosen against Love Itself in which our being subsists, let alone salvation from our own conniptions. God's love is so bold, even as we witness it from a distance (let alone live in it), there is something almost bewildering about it.

The Bridge (Romans 3:23, 6:23)

• Catherine of Siena: Because you cannot pass this mortal life without pain, and in Me, the Father, there can be no pain, but in Him there can be pain, and therefore of Him did I make for you a Bridge. No one can come to Me except by Him, as He told you in the words: 'No one can come to the Father except by Me.'

• Our due is nothing pleasant as regards our sin, but as regards our Divine sonship we are brought to be in His likeness who suffered for us.

• Matthew 16:24-26; Luke 14:27

  • Christ exhorts His followers to lay down their lives and to take up His own. There is nothing greater in cost nor in benefit. There has never been a higher cost and never more at risk. We will talk about this more in the last session.

  • We can take what we can get of this life and prepare for the the worst in the next or we can surrender this life and attain much in the next, free of pain and hatred.

  • God deals us an ultimatum: Either we accept His love or suffer eternity without it.

  • This is actually the first mention of the cross, but any Jew knew what this meant. According to the expositor commentary it is more a characteristic of disciple ship than a prerequisite

• Revelation 3:16; Matthew 5:37

  • God makes it clear there is no other path

• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 12:1

  • Our body is a temple, destined for worship not only in word and prayer but sincere repentance and sacrifice, Make of yourselves living sacrifice

• Colossians 1:24 

  • Christ calls us to follow after Him, there is a singular thing missing. It is You, your will to be united to His i.e. the will of love par excellence. His grace has provided all else.

  • In the Last Session, we will discuss this more thoroughly

The Fulfillment of the Covenants

This isn't just my interpretation, it is the Church's, Christ's, and that of St. Paul. God did not abandon us when we abandoned Him. "God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength. He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church. To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Savior. In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life."

Optional Content

Music

Bishop Barron