Category: Jesus

The Freedom to Give

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Essay By Dan

It was my observation while making a survey of Leviticus that Elohim set up a series of rules for the application of sacrifice to address the commission of sin. What I found interesting was the list of problems that require a sacrifice served as a roadmap for Lucifer’s sphere of operations. God chose to define the areas Lucifer uses to draw us into a state of rebellion. God then conveniently provides a path back from each operational area used by Lucifer. The more we understand about Lucifer’s sphere of operation the less effective Lucifer is trying to dismantle our relationship with the one true living God.

Consider the implication of the sacrificial guidelines (see Leviticus 16). The animal being offered had to be perfect. There needed to be a connection between the animal and the person offering the animal for sacrifice. The person offering the animal had to be part of the death process (direct kill or a sanctioned kill by a priest). The person offering the animal knows the sacrifice is only a temporary cover for sin. I think this lays the framework for the death, burial, and resurrection of our perfect ransom — Jesus.

Once per year, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) provides full forgiveness and sin removal at the national level for the Israelites. The high priest presented two male goats; one for a sin offering and the other was released into the wilderness as a scapegoat. The sin offering incurred God’s forgiveness; the released goat provided removal of sin. Humm… Sound a bit familiar?

Jesus functioned as the sin offering (similar to the Yom Kippur). The Yom Kippur scapegoat carried the sins of the people into the desert to be lost for all time. The impact? Our sin is forgotten. I think it is reasonable to view the sacrifice of Jesus as a perfect version of the Yom Kippur. Peter tells us that Jesus carried our sin in his body (implied in 1 Peter 2:24); the author of Hebrews tells us the sacrifice of Jesus caused the permanent removal of our sin (implied in Hebrews 9:8-14).

Let us dig a little more. When I read Exodus, Leviticus, or Numbers; I note a plethora of verses on sacrificial operations. We cannot help but notice the group of people selected to be priests (Hebrew term — Kohanim) during the exodus from Egypt. They were the only ones who were allowed to accomplish the sacrifices and bring the nation closer to God. Aaron was the first priest (Hebrew term — Kohen), gradually his male children became the group of priests (Kohanim) who managed the temple. The Kohanim (priests) were required to clear their own sin first, then they were able to address the sin of individuals, or even the entire nation (Yom Kippur).

The sacrifices offered by the Kohanim (priests) were called Korban (Hebrew term for sacrifice). The Korban was presented in the temple at least three times a day. The Korban (often translated sacrifice) means ‘draws close.’ There were three types of korbans – animal sacrifice, grain offering, and money donations. The desired effect of the Korban was to prepare a path for God to dwell amongst us on a daily basis (Exodus 25:8). The Korban was a constant reminder to us of the areas where Lucifer would attack — his modus operandi. If we want to know how he will move against us (sphere of operation) then we should get familiar with the law. Lucifer’s battle plan is very clearly presented in the law.

The deeper truth – the Korban, in its purest form, brings us closer to God. Jesus chose to offer himself for us as the ultimate Korban. Unlike the animals who do not have a say in their role as the Korban, Jesus offered himself with no pressure from Elohim. Jesus said — Just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father— I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR THE SHEEP (John 10:15 paraphrased). He chose to be the sacrifice. Jesus freely gave his life for us. His offering was far better than the Old Testament Korban. His ransom payment was a permanent response for our sin.

I choose Jesus.

Writing Love in Our Heart

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Essay By Dan

It was my observation while learning about the mediator function held by Jesus that I was not very knowledgeable about the origins of sacrifice as defined by scripture. I followed this tangent and started learning. In the book of Leviticus, the Israelites were instructed by God on the topic of sacrifice. In my view, the notion of sacrifice is a God directed process where blessings are appropriated through the offering of a specified element for a specified sin. But I must be clear – the sacrifice begins and ends with God. In His kindness, He provides this avenue to his people so that they, by faith, might receive grace.

When I looked for the first sacrifice, I noted that God covered Adam and Eve with animal skins. These animals were used (sacrificed) to address Adam and Eve’s rebellion (Genesis 3:21). This event was not specifically called a sacrifice, but the metaphor is clear. Their sin (rebellion) was covered (literally with skins) by the death (shed blood) of another being. Their anxiety was relieved, and they were willing to talk with God once the coverings were in place. The next sacrifice occurs when Abel offers a sacrificial animal (firstling) as gratitude for a good year of crops (Genesis 4:3-5). I should mention — Abel’s attitude was correct, the sacrifice was effective; Cain’s attitude was incorrect, his sacrifice was not accepted.

The Lord said to Moses in Leviticus 17:3-7 (paraphrased) — Any Israelite who offers a sacrifice in the camp or outside of it instead of bringing it to the tabernacle of the Lord—that person shall be considered guilty of bloodshed. This is so the Israelites will bring to the Lord the sacrifices they are now making in the open fields. They must bring them to the Lord and sacrifice them as fellowship offerings. The priest is to splash the blood against the altar of the Lord and burn the fat as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. They must no longer offer any sacrifices to their idols. (NIV).

Then we read in Leviticus 17:11 why the sacrifice and more specifically why the blood is important. We read — For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life (ESV).

In this verse, I noted the life of the flesh is in the blood. The essential life of all beings is contained in their blood. To touch the blood is to touch life. Blood moves us from the abstract idea of life to a visual, tactile presentation of life. If there is no blood in the sacrifice, then sin remains. A life un-ransomed is no life. Not only do we need blood to live, but God also conveys eternal life to us through sacrificial blood. Let us take a deeper look by examining two key phrases in the verse.

On the Altar. The altar starts with death (the sacrifice) but quickly transitions to life. Blood is placed on the altar; when they connect (the blood and altar) then the offering becomes holy (see Exodus 29:37) and imparts life (forgiveness) to the offeror (the person bringing a sacrifice to the altar).

To make atonement for your souls. We have established that blood imparts life to sinners. Blood on the altar eradicates sin, reverses death sentences, and brings us closer to God. This begins with the death of the offering but is made complete when the blood is placed on the altar.

The deeper truth — The blood offering was much more substantial than the rest of the offering. No part of the offering was transported into the holy of holies except for the blood. Without the blood, there was no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22). In the old covenant, blood covered our sin in much the same way that the skins covered Adam and Eve – yet their heart remained corrupted. In the new covenant the blood of Jesus paid our ransom completely – our heart is changed. His life was in that blood – His life changed us. His blood was offered in our stead – we are transformed. The Spirit writes love in our heart.

I choose Jesus.

The Deal is Off!

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Essay By Dan

It has been my observation while reading the Book of Hebrews, the author has gone to great lengths to relate the importance of the last supper to the old and new covenant. Now let us couple the message from the Book of Hebrews on the covenant with events that occurred during the Last Supper. We see in Matthew and Luke that Jesus explained to the disciples why He was going to be nailed to a cross. During that discussion, He took them right to the blood of the covenant and its purpose therein.

In Matthew we read – “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup and he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you; I will not drink from this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’ ” (Matthew 26:26-29 paraphrased)

At the Last Supper, Jesus carefully explains the spilling of his blood initiates the new covenant (atoning ransom sacrifice for our sins), this ransom message is noticeably clear in Matthew. Jesus presents himself as both the high priest (mediator) offering the sacrifice and the sacrifice himself.

In Luke, we read — After taking the cup, he said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, — This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me. This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you (Luke 22: 17-20 paraphrased).

Every time we partake in Communion, we hear the message specifying why we take the cup: “This cup is the new covenant in My blood which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins” You are hearing the explanation from Jesus of why He had to die. Communion is part of the definition for a new covenant with God, you violated the old covenant, you deserve to die. Jesus made a new deal for us. Jesus implies — I spoke to my Father, I am going to die (ransom sacrifice) in your place, then my Father will be glorified, and my followers will be redeemed forever.

When I ponder on the implications of communion, I think that Jesus is saying — every time you come to that table, I want you to remember that you are in fellowship with My Father, not because of anything that you have done, but because of what I have done. I died in your place to fulfill the curses that should have fallen on your head. I died the death of a covenant-breaker, even though I was the one who was faithful to the covenant so that all you covenant-breakers who believe on Me, who trust in Me, who have faith in Me alone for your salvation, might come into fellowship, reconciled with God.

Final thoughts – the author of Hebrews is encouraging his Jewish readers to not look back to the old covenant rituals as their way into fellowship with God. The old rituals mean nothing apart from Jesus. Do not look at your works, your service, your status, your reputation, your church job title; do not look at anything but Jesus for your reconciliation with God. Why? If we distance ourselves from the ransom and resurrection of Jesus, inserting our works as proof of worthiness into the formula, there is no reconciliation. The deal is off – the impact of the new covenant has been rendered impotent by our feeble proof!

I choose Jesus.

The Ransom Death

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Essay by Dan

It has been my observation while pouring through the Book of Hebrews there is an interesting linkage between the mediator role and the ransom payment. For example, we read – He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance –now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant (Hebrews 9:15).

The central purpose of Jesus as our mediator for sin is found in the interesting phrase “by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant.” This phrase defines the basis and expression of Christ’s mediatorship in the new covenant as His unwarranted (Jesus had no sin) sacrificial death (Jesus stepped into our place with a ransom for our sin). Therefore, His sinless payment of the ransom and the promises of the new covenant emerge with unmistakable power and victory.

God has been nurturing and growing the Israelites for eons. He was passionately protective of them. Furthermore, we note — Jesus bought (purchased with his ransom) all the sins committed (by Israel, God’s chosen people) under the first covenant. He bought every sin committed by each individual son and daughter of Abraham with his sacrifice. We are wise to notice a key element of the pro bono new covenant implemented by a gracious God that extended this ransom over the gentiles. Jesus explained His death just before His crucifixion; both Matthew and Mark documented Jesus citing a phrase from Exodus 24;”this is the blood of the covenant.” Selah!

Contrasting the Old Testament rituals with the work of Jesus leads us to understand the old ways will never impart everlasting life with the one true living God. In Hebrews 6:1 we find clear affirmation; the old school rituals lead to death. The new covenant (replacement for the old rituals) sets us perfectly free from any need to engage in such things. I think the extensive discussion about the blood of Christ in the Book of Hebrews is designed to calm the Jewish conscience and leave them ready to embrace the eternal inheritance provided by the new covenant (see Hebrews 6:12).

We know from Luke and from Paul the importance of the Jeremiah 31 phrase; “this is the new covenant in my blood.” It was as if Jesus was saying — If you want to understand the covenant, you need to understand that My death and resurrection is the event that delivers the covenant promises prophesied hundreds of years earlier through Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Moses. My death brings a resurrection through those promises. My death unlocks your heart. This is my gift as mediator of the new covenant.

As the mediator, He is paying for the penalty of sin and buying back those sins committed by all those who believe in Him as Savior and choose to walk with God. This begs the question — is there any possibility of someone saying, “Well, that is nice that Jesus has done that, but I am going to find my path to God – on my own.” Our response? “Huh?” How did you decide on your defense? How did you present your case to Elohim? What was his response? Have you appealed your case? To whom? How is that working out for you? There is only one path to the Father. Jesus said, of himself – “I am the way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes unto the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6)

The deeper truth – The ransom death is intense, draconian, and brutal. Yet, the ransom is embedded in the message of our salvation. It is the cornerstone of God’s unconditional love for us. His ransom death paid the penalty for all sin; do you know of any other way for that ransom to be paid? I think not. Only the death of the Mediator can clear the debt. Only a perfect offering presented in the heavenly temple can adjudicate our sin. There is no other path possible. None. Nada.

I choose Jesus.

The Game Changer

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Essay By Dan

While reading Hebrews 9:24-25, I observed a few pithy comments concerning the Mediator entering the Sanctuary in Heaven. The author of Hebrews writes — Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the High Priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own (Hebrews 9:24-25).

One of the underlying assumptions in the Book of Hebrews is — we are estranged from God because of sin — there needs to be mediation to implement our reconciliation with the Father. When we think of the mediator, we should focus on our reconnection with God. This reconnection happens through Jesus as our: Prophet (foreknowledge concerning our need – Isaiah 42:1), Priest (adjudication of our sin and reconciliation – Hebrews 5:10); and King ( submitting our heart to the authority of Jesus – John 12:15).

Hebrews 9:24-28 tells us there is only one mediator ever existent who can remove our sin and that we shall not look to anything else; we shall not look to our own works; we shall not look to the imperfect temple in Jerusalem which existed in the Old Covenant because we now live in the time of the New Covenant where the one true living mediator has established operations in the heavenly temple.

But there is more to this story. Jesus is the ultimate High Priest. All through the Book of Hebrews the author explains how Jesus is superior and the only realistic hope of salvation. With Jesus, there is no need to return to the priestly sacrifices of the Old Testament. When Jesus came as High Priest (the Messiah), he went to the greater and perfect tabernacle in Heaven. He did not enter the heavenly temple with the blood of critters; He entered the heavenly temple presenting his own blood, redeeming all of us with his perfect offering. With the old covenant, the blood of goats and bulls (critters) only sanctified us to be outwardly clean. The blood of Christ (through the eternal Spirit) offered himself unblemished to God. He cleansed our internal consciences from the acts that lead to death so that we may repent and serve the one true living God in grace and in truth (Hebrews 9:11-14 paraphrased). Our peace is the product of the unappeasable sorrow caused by His death and uncontrollable joy caused by His resurrection. Jesus is our righteousness.

Jesus did not enter an earthly sanctuary (a copy of the true one); he entered heaven itself, to be our mediator in God’s presence. He did not enter heaven’s temple to offer himself multiple times, the way the Jewish High Priest does every year on earth. But he appeared once in the heavenly temple, for all time, to negate all sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as Adam’s sin conferred sin and judgement to the world, so the blood of Jesus removes the sins of the world. Jesus offered himself as a global solution of reconciliation for the global problem of sin present in all of us. Soon, Jesus will appear a second time to implement the plan promised to all Christians. This plan defines our extraction out of our current existence to our forever existence (Hebrews 9:24-28 paraphrased).

The deeper truth is – day after day, the religious man stands and performs his religious duties; day after day, he offers the same tired works (sacrifice). He gradually learns this earthly sacrifice will never earn his place in heaven. The old covenant law will never change our heart, it only reminds us of our failures.

Then enters Jesus — the mediator prepares us so the Holy Spirit can write the law on our heart. This action by God retools our thinking, needs, inclinations, desires, and our focus. The mediator is the ultimate Game Changer. Jesus and the Holy Spirit reconstruct us to live forever. Selah.

I choose Jesus.

The New has Come.

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Essay by Dan

It has been my experience, while trying to wrap my mind around the old and new covenant of God, we need a global view of scripture to gain a proper understanding of both covenants. God defined the New Covenant in the Old Testament (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Later, in the New Testament, we find Jeremiah’s definition used in the Book of Hebrews (Hebrews 8:7–12). In fact, this is the longest quote from the Old Testament presented in the New Testament. Using the Hebrews passage as a template, we find three pillars for the new covenant: Reconciliation, Revelation, and Forgiveness.

Reconciliation. God says — I will put my laws in your mind and write them on your heart (Hebrews 8:7). He inserted the law into our heart to help us resist Lucifer’s influence. He removed the barrier between us and himself. Ezekiel said – God will put His Spirit within you so that you walk in His statutes, see His ordinances, and you are able to keep them (Ezekiel 36:26-27, paraphrased). Paul wrote – For anyone in Christ is a new creation; the old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus and gave us the ministry of informing the world of this reconciliation through Jesus, thereby not counting people’s sins against them anymore (2 Corinthians 5:17–21 paraphrased).

Revelation. God says — I will be your God, and you will be my people. No longer will you teach your neighbor or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because you will all know Me, from the least of you to the greatest (Hebrews 8:10-11 paraphrased). Later, Jesus specifically included the gentiles when He said – Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age (Matthew 28:19-20). It is this simple – God revealing himself to us.

Forgiveness. God says — I forgive your wickedness and remember your sins no more. God promises to forgive our sins and justify us — we stand before God as though we had never sinned (implied in Hebrews 8:12). Paul defines the impact of reconciliation and revelation when he writes – If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved (Romans 10:9-10). We ask, he grants, we are recipients of his grace – we are forgiven.

These three pillars (reconciliation, revelation, and forgiveness) define the covenant path to the Kingdom. They are the principal elements of the new covenant (the Gospel). From my perspective, the new covenant is built on absolutes, hardcore assurances, a promise to us that we will be with Him forever. The mediator (Jesus) intercedes for us, averting God’s wrath for our extensive list of sins.

We stand “shaking like a leaf”, helpless before the formidable righteousness of God. The only thing that redeems us is inclusion in the new covenant by the mediator. We have not earned a seat at the table; we were granted a seat at the table. Not by what we did, but by his forgiveness and grace. We have nothing of value to offer in exchange for our life – Jesus alone offered something valuable to redeem us.

We are blessed by the Father, reconciled through the sacrifice of Jesus, we are blessed by the redemptive power of the blood of Jesus (just as the Hebrew children were redeemed by blood from the Passover lamb eons ago). Finally, we are blessed by revelation from the Holy Spirit, freely extending His insight (teaching) to us about the things of God. Just as the Hebrews saw the power of God through the daily allocation of manna, we obtain our daily bread (teaching) in scripture. We have nothing to offer, we are unworthy to receive this grace. We are granted grace as an expression of unconditional love. Selah.

I choose Jesus.

Under His Wing

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Essay by Dan

It was my observation — there was a young woman named Ruth; she left the land of Moab and traveled to the land of Israel because she trusted God. Boaz, a wealthy man in Israel said to her — “May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge” (Ruth 2:12). You may recall from Psalm 91:4 our journey is described as being “covered with His feathers” and “under His wings you will find refuge.” Deuteronomy 32:11 describes the protective wings as eagle wings. What a picture of God’s shelter.

Sometimes we are under the wings, sometimes we are on eagle wings. When God leads the Hebrews out of Egyptian darkness into the promised land, we find it described as an airlift, by eagles’ wings. God says to the Hebrews in Exodus – “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” (Exodus 19:4-7). Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and told them what God said. The Hebrews responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” Moses brought their answer back to the Lord. (Paraphrased from Exodus 19:8).

For a moment, consider using two utterly separate modes of travel through our life. Consider the difference between a rowboat and an aircraft. You cannot travel with one foot in a rowboat and the other foot in an aircraft — it is impossible. Yet today, as a matter of faith, people are trying to live by a blend of law and grace. I am not saying you are, but if you are not clear about the nature of your walk with God, accidentally trying to live by your good works, may I suggest to you there is a better way – an easier way that is much less stressful. There is a way that takes us to the ‘eagle wing’ and places us in the center of the one true living God’s world.

J Vernon Magee tells us – “The Law demands; grace gives. The Law extracts; grace bestows. The Law says do; grace says believe. The Law says work; grace says trust. The Law growls, pronouncing trouble; grace invites, announcing a respite. The Law decries all of us; grace pulls us into safety. The Law reveals the sovereignty of God then grace reaches out in power lifting man up on eagle wings.

Paul says – The things Moses and the prophets witnessed all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we have compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we were in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by Jesus Christ. (implied Romans 3:21-24 MSG)

Paul continues – God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in his resurrection places us in the clear. God decided on this course of action in full view of the public—to set the world in the clear with himself through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus, finally taking care of the sins he had so patiently endured. This is not only clear, but it is now—this is current history! God sets things as they belong. He makes it possible to live in his way. (implied Romans 3:25-26 MSG).

It is by His mercy, it is by eagles’ wings, it is by His grace. Embrace it! Let Easter happen to you.

I choose Jesus.