A Perfect Sacrifice

A perfect sacrifice.  That description belongs to Jesus — and Jesus alone.

Moses instructed Israel — “Do not sacrifice to the Lord our God an ox or a sheep that has any defect or flaw in it…”

Why?

Because every animal offered was a foreshadow of Jesus…the perfect Lamb of God.

Jesus died once – never to be repeated.  Jesus died for all – no other sacrifice would be needed.  This was a perfect sacrifice.

As such…it is efficacious to atone for all the sins of the world.  Your good works?  They don’t atone.  Your expression of intentions?  They don’t count.  You need a perfect sacrifice – and that is Jesus.

The sinless…perfect…and complete sacrifice.

Two Covenants

Two covenants.  The first is described in the Old Testament…and the second in the New.

A Christian lives under the new covenant – and is released from the old covenant through the work of Jesus.  He established the new covenant by His blood.

The old covenant is about laws – the new is about grace.  The old outlines what man must do – the new is about what God has done in Christ. 

In the old covenant enemies are destroyed – in the new they are forgiven.  In the old covenant it’s about requirements – in the new it’s about requirements that have been met by Jesus.

So…is the old covenant useful?  Yes.  It expresses the need for grace.  And once grace is received…the old covenant is helpful and instructive.

Live under grace – but learn the lessons of the old covenant.

Forgetting the Lord

Forgetting the Lord.  It’s easy to do – with the rush of life all around you.

But Moses warned the Israelites – “Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God…”

When you prosper – do not forget the Lord.

When you have great loss – do not forget the Lord.

When life is filled with blessings – do not forget the Lord.

When life caves in – do not forget the Lord.

When you go to the house of the Lord to worship – do not forget the Lord.

Sadly…attractions…relationships…responsibilities all crowd in to push the Lord aside.  It’s easy to forget that He is ever present – and is both the provider and sustainer of life.

So today…ask yourself the question – how much have I thought about the Lord?

Keep your eye on the Lord.  And…don’t forget.

Finding God

Finding God.  But…how does that become a reality?

Moses told the Israelites – “…if…you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Does this mean that God hides Himself?  No.  This is about the heart and soul of a man.

It’s about man hiding from God.  But when man seeks God with all of his heart and soul…he will find Him.

If someone tells you that they can’t find God…the question to them is this – have you sought for Him with all of your heart and all of your soul?

God still walks in the garden looking for man.  “Where are you?” is God’s invitation for a relationship.

If you seek Him with all your heart and soul…you will find Him.

When You Look — What Do You See?

When you look — what do you see?  Is it giants and walled cities…or is it clusters of grapes and milk and honey?

When the spies returned from their visit to the promised land…it was Joshua and Cabel who gave a good report.  But the other ten spies could see nothing other than obstacles and problems.

All twelve saw exactly the same thing – but two saw possibilities…and ten saw impossibilities.

The same can be true for you.  When you look at circumstances…you have to choose whether you see opportunities and possibilities or problems and impossibilities.

When you lose your job…when you have a financial loss…when there are problems ion interpersonal relationships – do you sense what God is wanting to do…or do you only see problems and difficulties?

Choose carefully what you see — when you look.

Burial Arrangements

Burial arrangements.  It says something about the social standing of the deceased.

For Jesus it was the work of two men —  Joseph of Arimathea…and Nicodemus.  They were both secret disciples of Jesus…out of fear of the Jews.

Think of it.  The incarnate Son of God…with only two secret followers to bury Him.  Where were a host of others who had been helped and healed?

Granted there were only two who prepared Jesus body for burial…but since then there have been untold multitudes who have celebrated the glory even of his burial.

In this life there may be few who celebrate your life at the time of your death.  But there may be a multitude affected by your life.  Never measure the success of a life by the number present at their burial.

In Christ

In Christ.  That describes the relationship between every believer and Jesus.

Jesus prayed for all believers – “…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.  May they also be in us…”

So you are one with the Father…Jesus His Son…and all Christians everywhere and for all time.

Back to the phrase in Christ.  What does that mean in practical terms?  It means that every part of your life is lived in Christ.

Don’t divide your life into pieces — your life at work…at play…at home.  No.  All of life centers in Christ.  He must be central in every segment of your daily life.  It’s an all-encompassing relationship.

In Christ – may that describe the very essence of your life.

The Power of Divine Presence

The power of divine presence.  There is no earthly match for it.

When the Sadducees and chief priests and Pharisees came against Jesus — they came with torches…lanterns…and weapons.  It was a show of earthly power and authority.

But follow the conversation.

“What is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth…”

“I am he.”

“When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.”

Torches…lanterns…and weapons are no match for the power of divine presence.

Apply this to your life.  Are you in the midst of a battle?  If so…the presence of Jesus will sustain you.

The weapon in your battle is Christ your Lord.

Access to God

Access to God.  How many ways are there?

One.  “No one comes to the Father except through me.”  These are the clear words of Jesus.

Sadly…many people believe that there are many ways to God – religious systems…exemplary living…moral virtue…works of charity — and more ways to God than can be imagined.

But…no.  The way to the Father is narrow – there is one way.  And that is through Jesus. 

Not only is this a confusion for many in the world – it is also a confusion for any who call themselves Christians.  It’s an assumption that they have access to God through good works and virtuous living. 

What is the lesson?  Come to Jesus through repentance and humility.  Trust only in His finished work at Calvary.

A Planting of the Lord

A planting of the Lord.  It’s the key to a productive life.

“…unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

You have the privilege of planting your life in Christ — dying to yourself following Him.

Plant your heart.  Time with Jesus will result in a relationship that is close…personal…and intimate.

Plant your time.  Ask Jesus to show the right priorities.  Let there be time for communion and fellowship with Jesus.

Plant your resources.  Invest in the work of the Lord in both time and money.

A planting of the Lord.