Appear in the Presence of God for Us

Hebrews 9:23-28

During the various feasts and periods of sacrifice in Old Testament times, the blood of sacrifices would flow freely. The idea of blood atonement for sin is taught throughout scripture, beginning in Genesis when Adam and Eve were covered with the skins of animals that had been killed. We know that, “without shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22 God has taught us that for sin to be forgiven, there must be a sacrifice, or a payment.

The multitudes of sacrifices in the Old Testament time were never designed to be permanent, or to offer permanent salvation to the participants; full salvation even then was based upon the faith and belief of those involved in the sacrifices. In our devotional passage we see the words, “patterns” and “figures.” That is exactly what these were. They were no more than the foreshadowing, or a type of the ultimate, permanent sacrifice which was to come. That sacrifice, or course, was to be Jesus.

Jesus paid it all. He was “once offered.” Friends, no further sacrifice is needed. Back then the people often forgot that faith and belief was their salvation and got caught up in rituals, traditions, rules and regulations as the means. Nothing has changed. Many still are striving to pay their own way to heaven by rituals, traditions, rules and regulations. If you are reading this, and are doing that, cease striving and rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Jesus the Creator Greater Than Creation

 

Hebrews 1

Jesus is great. I don’t suppose that statement would elicit any argument from anyone reading this post. I hope not anyway! If one ever wants to read just how great is, just go read the Book of Hebrews(conveniently bookmarked above, by the way.) There, we can learn in the 1st ten chapters, that Jesus is simply greater than….everything. He is greater than the Law, the Prophets and the angels. Jesus is greater than….everything. That’s great reading, and I suggest readers do so, but our point here is shorter and simpler.

Psalm 102:25-27

Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

 Does that look familiar? I hope so because here Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was quoting from the Old Testament Psalms. Clearly, in those Psalms the references are to God the Father, as Jesus the Son had yet to make His appearance among man in the flesh. Just as clearly, Paul was taking about Jesus the Son, using the SAME words. Isn’t that interesting?

Friends, Jesus did not just pop out one day and begin to exist. He was not created; He has always been. He is, was, and always will be Almighty God Himself. The only thing that changed was that He made Himself into a man to walk among us to bring us to Himself in the New Covenant. Chapter One of this book spends its time in a discourse of how Jesus is better than the angels. Why does this matter? Angels are not eternal from eternity past; they like humankind were created. Jesus is not just better than angels; Jesus is better than the creation itself. If you are reading and don’t get the full ramification of this, just ask yourself one question: What could be better than the creation, other than the Creator?