Yeah, I just quoted a DC Talk song….no big deal or anything.
Anyways, a beautiful Sunday morning to you all! I like Sundays here in Boston. They truly do feel like a Sabbath because I normally go to church (normally not until 11!), eat and fellowship with friends, and then just relax; it truly is a holy day 😉
Moving on, this week I have finally come to realize the importance of consistency with Christ. I feel that it is hard for Christ to consistently use us when we do not consistently communicate with Him. Not to say He won’t use you at all if you are not consistent, but my heart feels that not only will He use us more when we are consistent with Him, but we will see opportunities that He is guiding us towards more easily, and as a result, we will see His plan more and more for our lives! It’s  actually really exciting, and if you haven’t realized it yet, you probably should!
This week, I am delving into Hebrews! I was told by my brother Colin (the leader of Berklee Christian Fellowship) that Hebrews is a great book to start with for new Christians who are just getting into the Bible. Sure, I’m not a new Christian, but with my lack of personal Bible experience, I might as well be. So, I present to you some AWESOME scripture from Hebrew!
“(Hebrews 2: 9) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than angels for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
(Hebrews 2: 14-18) Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of the flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham (a.k.a. humanity). Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”
BAM! If any of y’all haven’t read “Death by Love” by Mark Driscoll and some other guy, you really should. These passages of scripture kind of highlight the main premise of the book. Christ Jesus was made human, lower than angels, so that He might taste death for who? For EVERYONE! Yet through that death, He destroyed the power of the devil, and released those who were subject to bondage and fear their whole lives!
How freaking amazing is that???
He had to be made like us so that He could share in our suffering, and undergo our temptation so that He could help us. He was made the “propitiation” for our sins! Now, what does that big, intimidating word mean?
Propitiation is, essentially, vicarious atonement. Jesus Christ was made as a sacrifice offered to God in the place of all the punishment that WE should have endured. He did NOT deserve that punishment, make no mistake! There had to be blood to pay for all the wrong things we have done, and Jesus became that sacrifice in our place. Instead of us, it was Him! Even though He was perfect!! Say what??
And because of this beautiful fact, we can do as it says in Hebrews 4: 16:
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
My God is pretty unbelievable, and so is the primary way in which He speaks to us: The BIBLE. Heck, it’s “living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4: 12-13)
You can only hide from Him for so long, people. He’ll find ya’….His word will find ya’ 😉
Justified by Faith 