My Walk With Him: But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Saturday, October 30, 2021

But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Hebrews 9:11-14

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing chapter fifteen - Laws of Worship Prefiguring Christ - covering Leviticus 17:1-16, looking specifically at the third theme for the chapter - God Commands Us to Worship through Blood. In Leviticus 17, God commands Aaron and his sons, and all the Israelites, to offer sacrifices only to the Lord, and not to goat demons (v17:7). Any sacrifices not offered to the Lord will result in "bloodguilt" (v17:4), and being cut off from the people (v17:4,9). God also warns the Israelites to avoid eating blood to avoid similar punishment (v17:10,14). The commentary theme for today contrasts the Old Testament sacrificial system as described in Leviticus and how Jesus abolished (see post yesterday) and superseded this system. We are referred to Hebrews 9:12-14 as the scriptural basis for this comparison. The commentary also highlights the Westminster Confession of Faith, where it states in section XIX. Of the Law of God: "...God was pleased to give to the people of Israel, as a church under age, ceremonial laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, prefiguring Christ, His graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits[.]" This section of the Westminster Confession of Faith provides a number of additional scriptural references to unpack how the OT laws of worship prefigure Christ and according to the commentary "this is why we worship Jesus" - because of:

His grace - 2 Corinthians 8:9
His actions - John 10:17-18
His sufferings - 1 Peter 3:18
His benefits - Romans 5:9

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who died for me and You never leave or forsake me - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such love. I worry and have other sins. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.