Message from Scripture: 8/9/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Heb. 4:14. “Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”

 

Referring to Christ as our high priest not only speaks about what Christ accomplished for us through His sacrifice and shed blood, but also of the new covenant which Jesus, of necessity, is mediator.  Why was it necessary for there to be a change of covenants with the coming of Christ, from the Law of Moses to the gospel?  There was a different sacrifice offered for forgiveness of sins, from the blood of animals to the blood of the Son of God.  Without the death of Christ, all those animal sacrifices would have been completely ineffective, “For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins” (Heb. 10:4).  It took the sacrifice of one tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin, for redemption to be offered (Heb. 10:9-10).

 

There was also a change in priesthood for this sacrifice to be offered.  Priests under the Law of Moses could not offer themselves for the sins of the people, as they were sinners as well.  As our high priest, Jesus offered His own blood to cleanse us of our sins (1 Pet. 1:18-19).

 

The Law of Moses was fulfilled through Christ and was taken away, nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14). To try to add elements from it to the new covenant, the gospel, creates another gospel that cannot save (Gal. 1:6-9). To live by the Law of Moses is to live under the shadow of what the gospel would be. To live by the gospel is to have the fulness of what God always intended for us, for the forgiveness of our sins, for the way of life that comes with it. Let’s serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with gratitude for who He is, what He has done for us, and what only He can offer us. We can show others the fulness of life we have for today, and eternity. God bless.

 

Robert