"But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God," (Hebrews 10:12).
No former high priest could even come close to making this claim. The Hebrews writer in the previous verse makes reference to the fact that those priests had to offer sacrifices in behalf of the people, continually. "They can never take away sin."
What greater power could there be than a "once for all" sacrifice? And, no priest had ever offered himself as the sacrifice! What a High Priest!
I can imagine the conversation occurring in heaven.
God: I have to make these people righteous by taking away their sins.
Jesus: That will require a sacrifice, Father.
God: I know and I need someone to go to them and make them aware of their need for a sacrifice for sin.
Jesus: I will go, Father.
God: Which of these functions will you perform?
Jesus: I will do them both. I will lay down my life for their sins and intercede for them before you.
God: You will be both the priest and the sacrifice.
Jesus: Yes, if that's what it takes.
We know the rest of that story; or, do we?
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Monday, November 28, 2005
Who is Jesus? #87 (From the Apocalypse)
I do not believe we have said enough until we give Jesus, his rightful priestly title. For He is not just priest, but He is High Priest. There is no doubt that scripture teaches us that all Christians are priests (I Peter 2:9). We have both a blessing and responsibility to go to God in behalf of people...the fundamental duty of a priest.
But Jesus, He is High Priest. I remember some of those High Priests from history. The first one was Aaron. When it came to affairs and rituals of the temple, he was boss. It was up to him to see that things were carried out according to God's law. He was followed by Eleazar. Then there was Eli, don't know what kind of High Priest he was, but apparently he wasn't a good father (I Samuel 2:12). Jesus was put to death under the high priesthood of Caiaphas.
Our High Priest, Jesus, is so different from these in the Levitical priesthood. The Hebrews writer tell us that Jesus is "a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek" (7:17). Puzzling?? Why would he not compare Jesus' High Priesthood to that of Aaron's. The one who was High Priest over God's people. All High Priests had to be of Aaron lineage. It was the first qualification. Jesus was not from that tribe of Israel. He was of the tribe of Judah.
What was different about His priesthood? I will need more time for this exploration.
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
But Jesus, He is High Priest. I remember some of those High Priests from history. The first one was Aaron. When it came to affairs and rituals of the temple, he was boss. It was up to him to see that things were carried out according to God's law. He was followed by Eleazar. Then there was Eli, don't know what kind of High Priest he was, but apparently he wasn't a good father (I Samuel 2:12). Jesus was put to death under the high priesthood of Caiaphas.
Our High Priest, Jesus, is so different from these in the Levitical priesthood. The Hebrews writer tell us that Jesus is "a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek" (7:17). Puzzling?? Why would he not compare Jesus' High Priesthood to that of Aaron's. The one who was High Priest over God's people. All High Priests had to be of Aaron lineage. It was the first qualification. Jesus was not from that tribe of Israel. He was of the tribe of Judah.
What was different about His priesthood? I will need more time for this exploration.
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Who is Jesus? #86 (From the Apocalypse)
The priest was one who went to God in behalf of the people. They, the people, brought the priest their sacrifices and offerings and he, in turn, presented them to God, according to the law, in behalf of the people.
The priest was a real stand-in or go-between as the people went through him to the Father. John saw Jesus in priestly garments (Revelation 1:13) and mentioned that first in his wonderful description of Jesus.
One who goes to God in behalf of His people... that is a very accurate description of the ministry and purpose of Jesus Christ.
I remember on a couple of occasions Jesus going to God in behalf of a lot of hungry people. I remember Him going to God in behalf of those twelve disciples who would receive kingdom responsibilities when He was no longer with them(John 17). I remember Him going to God in behalf of the very ones who put Him on that cross, "Father, forgive them..."(Luke 23:345).
Now it appears to be His fulltime job (Hebrews 7:25).
I need Jesus to go to the Father in my behalf. Yes, I have access to the Father myself because of what Jesus did on that cross, but I feel at time unworthy to approach the Father because of my sin and frailties. How wonderful to know that Jesus is going to Him for me...saying what I cannot say...expressing my soul's longings that I cannot put into words.
If I confess Him before man, he confessed me before the Father(Matthew 10:32). That is hard to even think about...my name be dropped in front of the Creator of the Universe. I am glad that Jesus is in such a priestly position to be able to do that.
I need Him to keep going to God in my behalf.
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
The priest was a real stand-in or go-between as the people went through him to the Father. John saw Jesus in priestly garments (Revelation 1:13) and mentioned that first in his wonderful description of Jesus.
One who goes to God in behalf of His people... that is a very accurate description of the ministry and purpose of Jesus Christ.
I remember on a couple of occasions Jesus going to God in behalf of a lot of hungry people. I remember Him going to God in behalf of those twelve disciples who would receive kingdom responsibilities when He was no longer with them(John 17). I remember Him going to God in behalf of the very ones who put Him on that cross, "Father, forgive them..."(Luke 23:345).
Now it appears to be His fulltime job (Hebrews 7:25).
I need Jesus to go to the Father in my behalf. Yes, I have access to the Father myself because of what Jesus did on that cross, but I feel at time unworthy to approach the Father because of my sin and frailties. How wonderful to know that Jesus is going to Him for me...saying what I cannot say...expressing my soul's longings that I cannot put into words.
If I confess Him before man, he confessed me before the Father(Matthew 10:32). That is hard to even think about...my name be dropped in front of the Creator of the Universe. I am glad that Jesus is in such a priestly position to be able to do that.
I need Him to keep going to God in my behalf.
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Who is Jesus? #85 (From the Apocalypse)
He was, "dressed in a robe reaching down to His feet with a golden sash around His chest, (Revelation 1:13).
A priest! John saw the vestiture of a priest on "the son of Man." These garments are described for us in detail in the Old Testament. We won't go there right now.
I find it both interesting and thrilling that this is what John describes for us first. He sees Jesus as priest. This is something that we are exposed to over and over again in the New Testament...the priesthood of Jesus.
Just exactly what did/does a priest do? Again, the Old Testament is full of details, sometimes gory details, of the functions and responsibilities of the priests.
The first thing that comes to my mind is that the priests were a unique group of servants that were set apart and specialized in service to God. Only a priest could execute the duties of the priest. We probably see them as offering sacrifices, primarily, but they had other responsibilities; pronouncing people clean or unclean, sanctification/purification rites and more.
The tribe of Levi, from which the priests came, were not even numbered among the people when a census was taken. Their cities were given to them, they didn't have to "take" them.
I believe their function can be best described as ones who went to God in behalf of the people. I often contrast them with prophets who went to the people in behalf of God.
The priests were appointed by God for their office.
Jesus serves as one. John saw that.
I wonder if the people to whom John was writing had forgotten that Jesus was constantly going to God in their behalf (Hebrews 7:25).
I wonder if we have forgotten. I wonder if I have forgotten.
The must be more to explore about this one in the long robe and golden sash!
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
A priest! John saw the vestiture of a priest on "the son of Man." These garments are described for us in detail in the Old Testament. We won't go there right now.
I find it both interesting and thrilling that this is what John describes for us first. He sees Jesus as priest. This is something that we are exposed to over and over again in the New Testament...the priesthood of Jesus.
Just exactly what did/does a priest do? Again, the Old Testament is full of details, sometimes gory details, of the functions and responsibilities of the priests.
The first thing that comes to my mind is that the priests were a unique group of servants that were set apart and specialized in service to God. Only a priest could execute the duties of the priest. We probably see them as offering sacrifices, primarily, but they had other responsibilities; pronouncing people clean or unclean, sanctification/purification rites and more.
The tribe of Levi, from which the priests came, were not even numbered among the people when a census was taken. Their cities were given to them, they didn't have to "take" them.
I believe their function can be best described as ones who went to God in behalf of the people. I often contrast them with prophets who went to the people in behalf of God.
The priests were appointed by God for their office.
Jesus serves as one. John saw that.
I wonder if the people to whom John was writing had forgotten that Jesus was constantly going to God in their behalf (Hebrews 7:25).
I wonder if we have forgotten. I wonder if I have forgotten.
The must be more to explore about this one in the long robe and golden sash!
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Who is Jesus? #84 (From the Apocalypse)
"and among the lampstands was someone 'like a son of man,' dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with golden sash around his chest." (Revelation 1:13).
He was right there among the gold lampstands, the churches. John gets this marvelous vision of Jesus and sees him as "someone like a son of man." What's that, John - a son of man?
No matter what other people called Jesus - The Messiah, The Christ, Savior, or Son of God, the way Jesus most often referred to Himself was with this appellation...the son of man. To call Him the "Son of God" was certainly accurate. He, indeed, was the Messiah. He was the Christ.
What about this son of man? Could it be that through this name, Jesus most closely relates to me? In calling Himself the son of man, He is reaching out to me...right where I live. He is saying, "Larry, I know what you are going through. I know what you are dealing with. I know you made a wrong turn back there, but I am still with you. I understand the temptations and trials of life. I went through them, too. I know you feel like you have failed, but I was there to pick you up. I took the form of a servant, a man, to be able to reach out to you."
Without this description of Jesus... The Son of Man... where would I be? How would I know that He knows? The important thing about a Relationship with Him is that He can Relate. He not only knows what I am going through and doing, but He knows and is the remedy!
Thanks for being The Son of Man.
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
He was right there among the gold lampstands, the churches. John gets this marvelous vision of Jesus and sees him as "someone like a son of man." What's that, John - a son of man?
No matter what other people called Jesus - The Messiah, The Christ, Savior, or Son of God, the way Jesus most often referred to Himself was with this appellation...the son of man. To call Him the "Son of God" was certainly accurate. He, indeed, was the Messiah. He was the Christ.
What about this son of man? Could it be that through this name, Jesus most closely relates to me? In calling Himself the son of man, He is reaching out to me...right where I live. He is saying, "Larry, I know what you are going through. I know what you are dealing with. I know you made a wrong turn back there, but I am still with you. I understand the temptations and trials of life. I went through them, too. I know you feel like you have failed, but I was there to pick you up. I took the form of a servant, a man, to be able to reach out to you."
Without this description of Jesus... The Son of Man... where would I be? How would I know that He knows? The important thing about a Relationship with Him is that He can Relate. He not only knows what I am going through and doing, but He knows and is the remedy!
Thanks for being The Son of Man.
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Who is Jesus? #83 (From the Apocalypse)
".. and among the lampstands was someone 'like a son of man' dressed in a robe reaching down to His feet and with a golden sash around His chest," (Revelation 1:13).
I can't go on without more about these lampstands. I know that they represent churches; specifically, the seven churches that are in Asia. These churches, as far as I can tell, are representative of all the churches at that time.
But, why lampstands and not lamps? If God's people are the "light of the world" (Matthew 5:14), then why aren't they pictured as or symbolized by lamps/lights?
I think it could be that, because of the persecution that most were experiencing, that it appeared that their lights/lamps were being extinguished. The world was seeing, or perhaps wanted to see, churches that was diminishing and eventually would go away.
But maybe there is another reason.
"The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is the lamp," (Revelation 21:23). This is the key message. The light that we have is simply a reflection of the source of the light - Jesus. "In Him was life, and that life was the light of men," (John 1:4).
There was light with those lampstands. Just because there was no lamp on them, doesn't mean that there was no light. Further, these churches, along with myself, needed to remember that they/I am not the source of the light. We simply reflect the light.
Jesus gives light to all that are in the world.
Lord, please light up my life!
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
I can't go on without more about these lampstands. I know that they represent churches; specifically, the seven churches that are in Asia. These churches, as far as I can tell, are representative of all the churches at that time.
But, why lampstands and not lamps? If God's people are the "light of the world" (Matthew 5:14), then why aren't they pictured as or symbolized by lamps/lights?
I think it could be that, because of the persecution that most were experiencing, that it appeared that their lights/lamps were being extinguished. The world was seeing, or perhaps wanted to see, churches that was diminishing and eventually would go away.
But maybe there is another reason.
"The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is the lamp," (Revelation 21:23). This is the key message. The light that we have is simply a reflection of the source of the light - Jesus. "In Him was life, and that life was the light of men," (John 1:4).
There was light with those lampstands. Just because there was no lamp on them, doesn't mean that there was no light. Further, these churches, along with myself, needed to remember that they/I am not the source of the light. We simply reflect the light.
Jesus gives light to all that are in the world.
Lord, please light up my life!
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Who is Jesus? #82 (From the Apocalypse)
"I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned around, I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone 'like a son of man'" (Rev. 1:12-13).
The "ever-presence" of Jesus - that is what is pictured for the reader here. In order to get a grasp of what is going on here, we must understand the "lampstands." Revelation 1:20 says, "... and the seven lampstands are the seven churches." Lampstands represent churches - in particular the seven churches of Asia (Revelation 1: 11) whose individual letters are recorded for us in the second and third chapters of Revelation.
Lampstands were used to support oil burning lamps. Jesus mentioned this in the Sermon on the Mount. "neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand and it gives light to everyone in the house," (Matthew 5:15).
It is important that we see Jesus in and among these lampstands (churches). The Christians of this day, when John was seeing the apocalypse, were undergoing all kinds of persecution because of their belief in and obedience to God. Jesus had not distanced himself from them, but was right there with them. He knew what they were going through. He was going through it with them. Their persecution was His persecution.
Remember when Jesus confronted Saul on the road to Damascus and asked, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? (Acts 9:4). Saul's persecution of the church was taken personally by Jesus.
No matter what I am going through, Jesus has not forsaken me. He is right here and right now. Satan would like me to believe that Jesus leaves me in my troubles and misery - but that is a Devil's lie.
John saw Jesus right where He needed to be - right in the middle of His people. That is exactly where I need Him.
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
The "ever-presence" of Jesus - that is what is pictured for the reader here. In order to get a grasp of what is going on here, we must understand the "lampstands." Revelation 1:20 says, "... and the seven lampstands are the seven churches." Lampstands represent churches - in particular the seven churches of Asia (Revelation 1: 11) whose individual letters are recorded for us in the second and third chapters of Revelation.
Lampstands were used to support oil burning lamps. Jesus mentioned this in the Sermon on the Mount. "neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand and it gives light to everyone in the house," (Matthew 5:15).
It is important that we see Jesus in and among these lampstands (churches). The Christians of this day, when John was seeing the apocalypse, were undergoing all kinds of persecution because of their belief in and obedience to God. Jesus had not distanced himself from them, but was right there with them. He knew what they were going through. He was going through it with them. Their persecution was His persecution.
Remember when Jesus confronted Saul on the road to Damascus and asked, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? (Acts 9:4). Saul's persecution of the church was taken personally by Jesus.
No matter what I am going through, Jesus has not forsaken me. He is right here and right now. Satan would like me to believe that Jesus leaves me in my troubles and misery - but that is a Devil's lie.
John saw Jesus right where He needed to be - right in the middle of His people. That is exactly where I need Him.
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
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