Monday February 2, 2015

Coming Up this Sonday 

Hebrews 10:19-25  Stop Dating the Church

Key Bible Passage: Hebrews 10:19–25 (NIV84)

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,

20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,

21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

It’s very easy to become blasé about our relationship with God and to take the privilege of being able to enter into His presence individually by prayer or corporately through gathered ‘worship’ for granted. You and I need constant reminding of the enormous honour, pleasure and privilege we have in being able to draw near to God.

Leviticus 16 (read it if you dare) shows us the magnitude of what’s happening when we come into God’s presence. In the Old Testament, the average Habib couldn’t draw near to God. Drawing near to God would cause one to be struck down with immediate judgment and death. Aaron’s sons thought they could approach God on their own terms and as they saw fit but were consumed with fire from the Lord for their arrogance and familiarity.

Only the High Priest could approach God and only once year on the Day of Atonement – Yom Kippur. Offers for sin are to made for the High Priest, the priests in general and for the people. Ritual washings are to be had. New clean clothes are to be put on. Only after such elaborate ritual could the High Priest draw near to God. In fact, we are told that without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness (Heb 9:22). And without forgiveness we could not draw near to God. 

When Jesus died on cross, He died with all of our sins (past, present and future) on His record. He died to wash us clean, once for all. He died bearing the punishment that we deserved. Now there is no need of bulls and goats because one sacrifice has been made for all time. On the day Jesus died, the gospels record that the curtain in the temple that separated the Holy Place from the inner sanctum, the Most Holy Place or the Holy of Holies, was torn in two from top to bottom to show that the way to God was permanently open.

We are free to enter God’s presence because of Jesus’ blood shed for us. Let us not take it for granted or despise this great privilege.

Questions for Reflection:

What are the key words, phrases in the passage on the left?

What implications does this passage have in your life?

How does this passage change your thinking and your emotions?