This year I have fought hard to read through the bible in a year and so far so good. In year's past I would read, but just the fun stuff, but I have to say being diligent with the word this year is changing my life, really. Things I've read before just jumping off the pages, or things that I can't believe I've never read before. How in the world did I miss the parable about the shrewd business manager who Jesus basically says use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. I'm still trying to understand what the deep meaning is.
A few weeks ago I read something that really just took me back. It was out of Hebrews and Jesus being a Holy Sacrifice. I shared it with the worship team during our communion, and I lost it. I felt a little embarrassed because I was so overwhelmed by the goodness of God. I've always been taught since a little kid that after Christ died he went and took the keys to death and Hell. There's actually quite a few theological debates on what really happened when Christ died. The writer of Hebrews give us one insight that just leaped out of the page for me. Hebrews 9:12 says "He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption." The tabernacle was an earthly place created for the High Priest to enter once a year and kill a lamb for the sins of the nation, but it was just an earthly representation of what was in heaven. After Jesus' death he entered the true Holy of Holies, the throne room of God, not as the Son of God in power and glory but as a sacrificial lamb. The shame he bore for our sins, being fully God, yet in that moment being stripped of all His glory in front of God the Father, a ransom for the sins of all the people of the world living and yet to live. We often think of the physical sacrifice that Christ gave, which was overwhelming, but just as agonizing was the total separation from God and total humility standing before God in the most Holy Place as a sacrifice. It was in that moment that He opened the way for us all to enter the true Holy of Holies, not an earthly imitation, no we have total access to God, the creator of the universe. Wow.
What an incredible thing, yet so many times I don't take full advantage of the price paid. I have full access yet I don't pursue it. Full access yet I don't wait for Him, full liberty to enter into His courts, yet I'm too busy to hear His voice for daily bread. In light of that revelation, I have to respond to Him, I have to take every opportunity to meet with Him. It's a mystery to me how heaven and earth meet during our worship, how our faith is used to make heaven move into action, but I know that if we want to change the world we have to spend time in his Holy Place. That's where the power and authority is, that's where the peace and joy is. So let's pursue Him with everything.
