September 2
1 Chronicles 5:18-26, 6:3, 6:49, 6:4-15, 7:1-8:28
Though many speak boldly about our current state of affairs, and many differ as to their view of what is transpiring and what they perceive as the solutions, the one common thread underlying most everyone other than those who are resting comfortably in Jesus Christ is a general state of fear and disillusionment as their world is spiraling out of control in many different areas. What those of us who trust Jesus Christ must realize is that this is the scenario which often makes the harvest ready. As Jesus said in Luke 10:2, " “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields." Are you willing to get out of your comfort zone and become one of Jesus' workers, not just one of His followers? The other day I was sharing the gospel with one of my patients who was raised Roman Catholic, but at the present time she was not strong in her faith, not attending church, not really seeking God, and struggling and fearful as to the state of affairs of our nation. Among the things she told me was that she felt guilty that she stopped going to confession many years ago, then proceeded to ask me my thoughts on going to a priest for confession. I explained to her that while confession was good, repentance was better. I explained that confession says "I'm sorry", while repentance says, "I change my mind and accept God's word on matters". I also explained that going to God through an earthly priest was inferior to what Jesus enabled us to do, which is to go directly through Him, our Great High Priest.
We read in 1 Chronicles 6:49, " Only Aaron and his descendants served as priests. They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offering and the altar of incense, and they performed all the other duties related to the Most Holy Place. They made atonement for Israel by doing everything that Moses, the servant of God, had commanded them." This was the system set up in the Mosaic law for coming to God, including when coming to Him confessing our sins. But this all changed when Jesus died on the cross for our sins, as we read what happened after Jesus yielded up His spirit in Matthew 27:51 (NKJV), " Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split," The splitting of the veil was a supernatural event considering the sheer thickness of this veil (some state it was 18 inches thick). This veil previously stood between the Holy place in the temple and the Holy of Holies which only the High Priest could go through to atone for the sins of the people and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). What this means is that though intercessory prayer is a good thing (James 5:13-18), it is not necessary as we now have direct entry with the Father, through the Son. We read this in Romans 8:34,(NKJV), " Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us." We read in Hebrews 7:25, " Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf." That the Son would intercede on our behalf was predicted long before Jesus' sacrificial death in Isaiah 53:12,(NKJV), "Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors."
What does all this mean practically for you and me? We read in Hebrews 4:14-16 (NKJV), Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." What this means is that we need not live life alone in fear and disillusionment. It means that we have a real Savior who is ready and willing to enter into a real relationship with anyone who seeks Him. It means that we don't have to have all the answers, because He has all the answers. It means that we no longer need a go-between, since we now have direct access to the Father through the Son. Jesus came not only to pay for our sins and save us from the sting of death, He also came to free us from the bondage of sin and the chaos which weighs us down. I am and will forever be thankful to You, Jesus, for having done it all.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: