The Eternal Sacrifice

We never tire of hearing good things about someone we love. And we never tire of hearing a person we love tell us they love us in return. Such messages are choice messages.

Likewise, we never tire of hearing a choice Word regarding Jesus. He is the great love message of all time. The book of Hebrews says, Christ came as High Priest . . . Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all. . . . (Heb. 9:11a,12a NKJV)

Jesus made it possible to approach God! Only the high priests could enter the Most Holy Place of the Temple where God's Pesence dwelled. And the high priest entered only once a year with a blood sacrifice. Jesus changed that when He gave Himself—the eternal Blood Sacrifice for all people.

Originally published August 31, 1990.
Picture: Como Park Conservatory, St. Paul, 2009. Photo by Solveig

The Precious Blood

We do not generally think of silver or gold as perishable, but Peter said, it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed . . . but with the precious blood of Christ . . . . (I Pet. 1:18a,19a NIV)

Think about the value of silver and gold. Vessels or eating utensils made of sterling silver are often heirlooms, passed from one generation to another. As are gold wedding rings, watches, and other gold objects. In fact, the enduring qualities of silver and gold are such that they can be fashioned and refashioned over and over to suit our purposes.

Nevertheless, earthly treasures are only as stable as our temporary material world. Although the value of silver and gold is considered great, they have no value when confronted by the eternal or spiritual realm.

The precious blood of Jesus remains priceless in any realm. In this life, it brings “new birth into a living hope. . . .” (v. 3b) In the eternal realm, Jesus’ blood provides an “inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. . . . (v. 4a) His blood is precious indeed.

Originally published February 25, 1983.
Picture: Commercial landscape, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

"My brothers" & "Your Father"

After His resurrection, Jesus talked to Mary of Magdala in the garden of the tomb. She did not recognize Him—until He called her by name. Then she turned, fell at his feet, and cried out His title as Teacher in Aramaic, the common language of the region. “Rabboni!” she said. (Jn. 20:16b NIV)

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (v. 17)

In that intimate moment, Jesus called the disciples brothers, something He had not done before. Then, after referring to God as His Father, he added, and your Father . . .

With those few words, Jesus revealed that His death on Calvary had destroyed divisions. A division between God and His people had changed and a division between Jesus and the disciples had changed—both washed away by the Blood He shed on the cross.

Originally published April 8, 1983.

To Reconcile All Things

The day of Jesus’ crucifixion has been called Black Friday. Yes, God’s Son was executed that day. His arrest and trial was a sham. To pull it off, accusers brought Him before four authorities in six hours. Although the accusers could not agree on charges, and although none of the authorities thought Jesus was guilty, pre-conceived plans for evil prevailed.

The day of Jesus’ crucifixion has also been called Good Friday. For Jesus’ death is the most important event in history. On that day He accomplished what no other person could ever accomplish. He paid the penalty for Sin—yours and mine. His sinless nature suffered so our sinful nature would be set free.

Paul said, For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself . . . through the blood of His cross. (Col 1:19,20b NKJV)

In Full Assurance

The blood of Jesus makes it possible for believers to enter the presence of God. The writer of Hebrews emphasized this when he said, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus. (Heb. 10:19 NKJV)

That doesn’t mean we approach God casually or flippantly. We will never have the right to approach God on our own merits, because we’re sinners who are naturally unacceptable before a perfect, righteous God. To come before God we must somehow get rid of our sin.

It's the blood of Jesus that does this impossible task for us. If we receive Him in our hearts, His blood covers our sin. And then the life of Jesus even begins to cleanse our motivations—to overcome our inner compulsions to sin.

When covered by the blood of Jesus we can come to God, in full assurance . . . having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. . . He who promised is faithful. (v. 22b,23b)

Originally published August 11, 1989.
Picture: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2008. Photo by Solveig.