“but Jesus, on the other hand,”
The drive from the university to our home is one of monotony, one that fills most of my days, and that spring day was no different. However, on that particular day, one when I was “speeding” on my way home, I was reminded of the truth: the law reveals knowledge of our wrong.
The speed limit is fifty-five on HWY 55. It’s pretty simple to remember, but I was talking on the phone, my mind was elsewhere, and my foot was heavy. I was “speeding” along at seventy-two, enjoying the beauty of the day, breaking the law. The blue lights of the state trooper in my rearview mirror caused my eyes to immediately look toward my speedometer.
It was TRUTH—I was going too fast.
The “speed-o-meter” displayed the large 72. I could not escape the truth (or the law following me), for that would cause me to receive a free ride to jail. Therefore, I did as most and signaled that I was pulling off the road. When the state trooper pulled in behind me, I knew there was no escape, although the thought did run through my mind for a split-second.
That day, I received a reminder of my wrongdoing, for through the law came the knowledge I needed.
The Law of God reveals the knowledge of our sin.
- No one can live sin-free; we are all the same. The Bible tells us so!
- No one is exempt, and no one receives a bye.
Good morning and welcome to the truth.
Every single member of the human race needs the gospel of salvation.
Everyone.
- No exemptions.
- No exceptions.
- No, I am better than you. &
- No, my sins are less ugly than yours.
IN GOD’S HOLY EYES, HE SEES US JUST AS WE ARE: SINNERS IN NEED OF A SAVIOR!
AND THERE IS JUST ONE WHO IS WORTHY!
JUST ONE!
We know this is the TRUTH because God’s Word, the Holy Bible states it so!
The writer who was given the task of writing The Letter to the Hebrews spent much time speaking about “priesthood,” from the order of Melchizedek, the king of Salem, a priest of God, and a man who met with Abraham after a tenth of the best spoils were promised to the king of Salem. At that time, Levi, who would begin the order of priests, had not even been born.
- The Bible tells us the Lord Jesus descended from the line of Judah.
- The Word of God tells us how the tribe of Judah does not perform as priests.
- Yes, the Holy Bible tells us, concerning the Lord Jesus Christ—
“For it is attested of Him,
(The Letter to the Hebrews 7: 17-25 NASB)
“YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER
ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”
“For, on the one hand,
there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness
(for the Law made nothing perfect),
and on the other hand
there is a bringing in of a better hope,
through which we draw near to God.
And inasmuch as it was not without an oath
(for they indeed became priests without an oath,
but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,
“THE LORD HAS SWORN
AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND,
‘YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER’ “)
“so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
The former priests, on the one hand,
existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing,
but Jesus, on the other hand,
because He continues forever,
holds His priesthood permanently.
Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him,
since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
- Mankind was created with a mind to think.
- We were born with a freewill to make choices.
- God gave us a conscience to help us make decisions.
The Jews (Israelites) tried to be made righteous through their adherence to keeping the Mosaic Law, but it is impossible to keep the law perfectly.
The Gentiles (the rest of creation) could not be made righteous through the keeping of the Jewish Mosaic Law, even though so many tried.
This “equalness” caused great turmoil, but it is TRUTH—WE ARE EQUAL IN OUR SIN.
There is another TRUTH—WE KNOW IT!
In the letter written to the believers living in Rome, the apostle Paul was led by the Spirit to write—
“Now we know that whatever the Law says,
(The Letter of Paul to the Romans 3: 19-20 NASB)
it speaks to those who are under the Law,
so that every mouth may be closed and
all the world may become accountable to God;
because by the works of the Law
no flesh will be justified in His sight;
for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.”
Just as the state trooper’s blue lights last spring, behind my car, revealed the truth: I was breaking the law, the Bible, the Law of God reveals our faults, our sins, and the consequences of our sins.
GOD’S LAW REVEALS THE KNOWLEDGE OF SIN!
GOD’S LAW REVEALS OUR NEED OF CHRIST JESUS!
Every single member of the human race needs the gospel of salvation.
- Every person needs forgiveness of sins.
- Everyone needs reconciliation with Holy God, the Creator, who created us.
- Every individual needs atonement—the Ultimate Sacrifice of the One who is able to forgive us our sins.
Over and over, year-after-year, and one time each year, the high priest would go behind the veil into the Holy of Hollies to offer a sacrifice for his sins and for the sins of the people.
“but Jesus, on the other hand,”
- Just Once—JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS!
- Just Once—JESUS TORE THE TEMPLE VEIL IN TWO PIECES!
- Just Once—JESUS MADE THE WAY!
- Just Once—JESUS MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO RECEIVE RECONCILIATION WITH GOD!
- Just Once—JESUS GAVE HIS LIFE AS OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST!
- Just Once—JESUS GAVE HIS LIFE—THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE!
“Therefore, brethren,
(The Letter to the Hebrews 10: 19-23 NASB)
since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,
by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil,
that is,
His flesh,
and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,
for He who promised is faithful;”