The Law of Israel was so beneficial to the nation because it enabled them to know what God expected of them. However, like most codes of conduct, it also manifested the rebellion of their heart, because the heart of sin is “I don’t want to do what you say!” Isn’t that true of each of us? When you are told not to do something, that is the very thing you want to do. There are a few people who are compliant, yet even compliant people do not choose to obey out of the heart, they choose to obey out of obligation. In Jeremiah 31:31-40 as God is about to pass judgment upon the nation of Israel for their rebellion against God, He shares with them that one day, He will establish a new covenant with them, not an external covenant that often leads to legalism and outward compliance, but a covenant of the heart, that will lead those following to obey out of the heart, manifesting their love to and for God. That covenant was made possible by the Person, Work, and Word of Jesus Christ. Every time we come to the Lord’s Table, we are reminded of that New Covenant that God has established with us, that makes our redemption and forgiveness possible. Next time you come to the Lord’s Table, do so with a grateful heart that manifests itself with a life of obedience to our God who continues to provide for us hope and perspective in the midst of our sojourn here on earth.