As the author of Hebrews continues to demonstrate that Jesus is superior to what has gone before, we are reminded that Jesus is a better sacrifice. His death on the cross was sufficient to cover all of the sins for those who belong to Him once and for all. We celebrate Jesus in worship because He was sacrificed for our sins, and attend to Him in worship out of gratitude.
Look around the world, our nation, our community, our church, and count them:
-- those that are oppressed, hungry, in prison, blind, depressed, lonely, orphaned, widowed . . . . .
-- those that are persecuted, displaced, starving, divorced, abused, having serious health issues, lonely, grieving a loss, needing work, fearful of the future.
Does God care? Can He handle their “impossible” situations? The Psalmist thought so. The Lord, who sacrificed His only Son for this lost and sinful world, says so again and again.
Is He asking too much for any one of these to offer the sacrifice of Praise?
Indeed He is not, and we are to respond with grateful thanksgiving for all the Lord has done not from time to time as we remember, or at times when God's hand is obvious, but all of our lives, moment by moment, as we celebrate His goodness to us. Christ's sacrifice was once for all; our praise in light of His sacrifice is eternal.
"Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors." Isaiah 53:12
This verse from Isaiah 53 foresaw the sacrifice of Christ, who bore the sins of many. The author of Hebrews must have had this verse in mind writing, "so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many" (Hebrews 9:28). We are among the many for whom Christ died, having been chosen by God for salvation from the beginning. As we gather together for worship, we do so in part to remember the One who bore our sins, who took them away so that we might be declared righteous and thus enter the sanctuary. Jesus is indeed worthy of our worship!
Jesus is better than the angels, Moses, the prophets and Melchizedek. Through Him we receive a better sanctuary, a better priest, a better ministry, a better covenant, better promises, and now a better sacrifice. Better because it was sufficient to provide a sanctuary in heaven which would allow us to come into God's presence. Better because it sufficient once for all time. Better because it was sufficient to save all who belong to God. How much better can it get? Well, there is a better hope, a better country, and a better resurrection, all of which prompt a better praise. And perhaps at that point, it just can't get any better, but I would venture to say that the grace we have received through all of these better things is abundantly sufficient.
More than sufficient and very humbling that God would supply so many amazing things to sinners who take so many of these "better" things for granted every day. The very idea that we have been given so many things through Christ prompts better worship.
A heavenly sanctuary, and "end" to sin, and eternal salvation are the three better things we will be looking at this week, and it is all based on a better sacrifice. It is very easy for me to go through a day without stopping to consider the cost of my relationship with God. Like so many things, I take that for granted. Of course I can talk to God. Of course He hears me. Of course God is working all things to the good. Of course the Lord has plans for me for good. But that ability to talk to God, to be heard by God, to have God at work in my life, working out the good plans He has for me, were all purchased with a price. That price was paid on the cross by Jesus Christ, who was sacrificed in order that I might have these better things the Father wanted for me. Thank you, God, for your Son, who has opened the door to the heavenly sanctuary, put an end to sin, and provided eternal salvation to those who belong to Him.
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. (1 Peter 1:18-20 ) Hallelujah!
Happy Sabbath! As we prepare to worship the One who provides us a heavenly sanctuary, the end of sin and eternal salvation through His better sacrifice, may our hearts be filled with praise and thanksgiving for all the Lord has done.
As the author of Hebrews continues to demonstrate that Jesus is superior to what has gone before, we are reminded that Jesus is a better sacrifice. His death on the cross was sufficient to cover all of the sins for those who belong to Him once and for all. We celebrate Jesus in worship because He was sacrificed for our sins, and attend to Him in worship out of gratitude.
ReplyDeleteLook around the world, our nation, our community, our church, and count them:
ReplyDelete-- those that are oppressed, hungry, in prison, blind, depressed, lonely, orphaned, widowed . . . . .
-- those that are persecuted, displaced, starving, divorced, abused, having serious health issues, lonely, grieving a loss, needing work, fearful of the future.
Does God care? Can He handle their “impossible” situations? The Psalmist thought so. The Lord, who sacrificed His only Son for this lost and sinful world, says so again and again.
Is He asking too much for any one of these to offer the sacrifice of Praise?
Indeed He is not, and we are to respond with grateful thanksgiving for all the Lord has done not from time to time as we remember, or at times when God's hand is obvious, but all of our lives, moment by moment, as we celebrate His goodness to us. Christ's sacrifice was once for all; our praise in light of His sacrifice is eternal.
Delete"Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors." Isaiah 53:12
ReplyDeleteThis verse from Isaiah 53 foresaw the sacrifice of Christ, who bore the sins of many. The author of Hebrews must have had this verse in mind writing, "so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many" (Hebrews 9:28). We are among the many for whom Christ died, having been chosen by God for salvation from the beginning. As we gather together for worship, we do so in part to remember the One who bore our sins, who took them away so that we might be declared righteous and thus enter the sanctuary. Jesus is indeed worthy of our worship!
Jesus is better than the angels, Moses, the prophets and Melchizedek. Through Him we receive a better sanctuary, a better priest, a better ministry, a better covenant, better promises, and now a better sacrifice. Better because it was sufficient to provide a sanctuary in heaven which would allow us to come into God's presence. Better because it sufficient once for all time. Better because it was sufficient to save all who belong to God. How much better can it get? Well, there is a better hope, a better country, and a better resurrection, all of which prompt a better praise. And perhaps at that point, it just can't get any better, but I would venture to say that the grace we have received through all of these better things is abundantly sufficient.
ReplyDeleteMore than sufficient and very humbling that God would supply so many amazing things to sinners who take so many of these "better" things for granted every day. The very idea that we have been given so many things through Christ prompts better worship.
ReplyDeleteA heavenly sanctuary, and "end" to sin, and eternal salvation are the three better things we will be looking at this week, and it is all based on a better sacrifice. It is very easy for me to go through a day without stopping to consider the cost of my relationship with God. Like so many things, I take that for granted. Of course I can talk to God. Of course He hears me. Of course God is working all things to the good. Of course the Lord has plans for me for good. But that ability to talk to God, to be heard by God, to have God at work in my life, working out the good plans He has for me, were all purchased with a price. That price was paid on the cross by Jesus Christ, who was sacrificed in order that I might have these better things the Father wanted for me. Thank you, God, for your Son, who has opened the door to the heavenly sanctuary, put an end to sin, and provided eternal salvation to those who belong to Him.
ReplyDeleteFor you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. (1 Peter 1:18-20 ) Hallelujah!
DeleteHappy Sabbath! As we prepare to worship the One who provides us a heavenly sanctuary, the end of sin and eternal salvation through His better sacrifice, may our hearts be filled with praise and thanksgiving for all the Lord has done.
ReplyDelete