Eternal Redemption

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
Hebrews 9 (click the link)


KEY PASSAGE:
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! (Hebrews 9:11-14, NIV)


REFLECTIONS:
At the moment of this writing, it is noon on Good Friday. It's a gloriously beautiful day, with the bright sunshine high in the sky. The birds are singing and the newness of spring fills the air. It's hard to imagine that at this same time of day a couple thousand years ago, Jesus was hanging on the cross and the sky was dark as night (Matthew 27:45; Luke 23:44-45).

Earlier today, about nine o'clock (the time they began crucifying Jesus), I read through Isaiah's heart-wrenching prophecy of the Lord's Suffering Servant (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). Along with the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion, it's hard to imagine Jesus enduring the type of suffering depicted in Isaiah's prophecy. But we can be eternally thankful that, as today's reading emphasizes, Jesus' suffering obtained for us an "eternal redemption."

………

The writer of Hebrews continues to explain that in Jesus, God has fulfilled his promise of the new covenant. The writer is encouraging his readers to remain faithful to Jesus, whatever the cost, rather than going back to the old "shadows" of Judaism. In verses 11-14 he's trying to hammer home the point that, with the Messiah's arrival, the promised new world has been opened up, and, as Leigh Anne so beautifully pointed out yesterday, it is wonderfully "better" in every way.

First of all, Jesus' sacrifice is "better" because he entered into the "greater and more perfect tabernacle" (verse 11). Under the old covenant, the earthly tabernacle (and later temple) was designed by God to be a temporary substitute for the reality which he had in mind all along—the ultimate sanctuary or tabernacle, which was the very presence of God in the heavenly realms. Our glorious God dwells in splendor, holiness, and unapproachable light. We can only come near to him if someone, like the high priest, goes in ahead of us to present the offering for our purification. This is the heavenly reality into which Christ has entered on our behalf.

Secondly, Jesus' sacrifice is "better" because he has presented before God, not the blood of regular animal sacrifices, but his own pure and spotless blood. As our representative before God, Jesus offered his own life as a sacrifice of atonement—he laid down his life so that we and all of humanity might be forgiven and reconciled to God. His life-given-in-death, functions on our behalf—he bore God's judgment and died so that we don't have to. Whereas the ancient animal sacrifices functioned as a way of purifying the outward lives of worshipers, the self-offering of Jesus was far "better" because it has a cleansing effect that goes far, far deeper. His offering of himself obtained not just a temporary pardon, but an eternal redemption.

And lastly, Jesus' sacrifice is "better" because it reaches to the depths of our personality. Just as Jesus has gone into the very heart of the presence of God—not simply into a man-made building with an inner chamber, but into the place where God lives in light and holiness—so the effects of his sacrifice are to be felt not only in the outer lives of his people, but in the inner depths, the "holy of holies" at the core of each individual person, the place where we really are who we are. 

Hebrews will speak several more times about the "conscience" of worshipers (9:14; 10:2; 10:22; 13:18). Each time, the writer is stressing the fact that under the new covenant there is a purification that goes deep down into the core of our being.

In particular, this "better" purification that Jesus offers can wash us clean from "acts that lead to death" so that we may "serve the living God" (verse 14). Through the self-sacrifice of Jesus, God revealed once and for all the way into his presence, the way by which we could serve him freely and gladly and joyfully without the slightest shadow or stain on our consciences.

………

When I think of the suffering that Jesus endured, my heart is grieved. I wince at the thought of his having endured the scourgings and beatings and mockings on our behalf. I can't begin to imagine the agony he endured while on the cross. But I am so thankful that he was faithful to his Father's plan to bring about the redemption of us all. My heart is glad and I rejoice when I reflect on the "better" sacrifice that Jesus, our great high priest, has made on our behalf! I praise God for his Suffering Servant who freely and joyfully and wholeheartedly offered himself on our behalf.


POINT OF ACTION:
Because of all that Jesus done for us, let us commit—through his grace and empowerment—to follow his example of exuberant and joyful service, free from any motivation caused by guilt or fear (verse 14).


WHO AM I?
I'm Tres Sansom and I've run out of things to say about myself.