Thursday, December 6, 2012

substitute teaching‏

Hebrews 9:22

22…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Forgiveness requires death.
There is no other way.

In our society, most people believe the only thing you have to do to go to Heaven is die.
That is not, however, what the verse states.

It is the shedding of blood that is required. The natural question is then, “Whose blood?”

Hebrews 9:25-28

25 He did not do this to offer Himself many times, as the high priest enters the sanctuary yearly with the blood of another.26 Otherwise, He would have had to suffer many times since the foundation of the world.But now He has appeared one time, at the end of the ages, for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment— 28 so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.

Jesus’ blood.
His only.
His alone.
His ever and after.

You cannot atone for your sin, let alone the sins of others. You could not pay for your sins by being crucified. You cannot pay for your sins today by enduring hardship or completing service. The best person you know cannot absolve their own sin, let alone absorb yours. They cannot “cover” for you when you show up late or fall short, again.

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

More than just death.
Forgiveness requires life.
Perfect life.

Hebrews 9:24

24 For the Messiah did not enter a sanctuary made with hands (only a model of the true one) but into heaven itself, so that He might now appear in the presence of God for us.

Jesus is not dead.

He died to confirm the covenant and ensure we inherited that which He determined in God’s will. No, not the “should I buy this house or marry that person” kind of will, but the type of will that is a document that contractually allocates the full and final wishes and resources of the one who has died. A last will and testament if you will. Man, I am full of puns of fun on this one. And I can’t stop rhyming!!!

Perfect death.
Perfect life.
Perfect sacrifice.
Perfect Priest.

Jesus pays our debt in full.
Jesus earns our inheritance in full.

He is our substitute.
He takes our place and then allows you to take His place in line.

Jesus is our perfection and before God, in Him, we meet God’s standard of perfection by His grace imparting faith to us to believe in His perfection for us ALONE!

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