Theme: The heart of Jesus was broken in death so that he might create within us a new heart. In the First Lesson the new heart is promised. In the Second Lesson, Jesus poured out his heart of suffering to the Father. In the Gospel Jesus promises that he will unite our hearts through the cross (draw all people to himself (v. 32).

COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Written after the destruction of the nation by the Babylonians, the prophet promised that God will establish a new covenant with both Israel and Judah, not carved in stone but on the human heart. The covenant would be different from the one forged in the infancy of the nation, the wilderness wandering period during which God gave his laws to Moses. God had to take them by the hand (v. 32) and lead them out of Egypt. Thi…