This Changes Everything预览

ASCENSION

The story of Easter – how God saves – is unfinished if we do not include Jesus’ ascension. The ascension is the final installment in the cosmic drama of the atonement. The author of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is our High Priest. But what does that mean exactly?

The Hebrew scriptures, the Protestant Old Testament includes the story of the High priests of Israel. Particularly in the book of Exodus and Numbers. The High priest was a person who was required to be both physically whole & spiritually holy. Perfect in his conduct & his body. The High priest was responsible for the most significant duties in the most holy moment in Israel’s calendar, Yom Kippur. Literally, the ‘Day of Atonement.’

The High priest was the one who entered the Most Holy Place and made a sacrifice for himself and for the people of Israel. When this sacrifice had taken place, the priest would bring the blood of the sacrificed animal into the Holy of Holies and sprinkle the blood on something called the ‘mercy seat.’ This activity provided the atonement for all the sins committed by the people of Israel in that year!

With this story in mind, we look at Christ’s work in the New Testament. He not only was slain on the cross, but he entered heaven – in his ascension – a picture of the Holy of Holies from ancient Israel where he became both the priest and the slain sacrificial lamb. This entrance of Jesus into the Holy of Holies and the seating of Jesus should bring about the echo of this ancient responsibility of Israel’s high priests.

However, unlike the priest who sacrificed yearly on Yom Kippur, the author of Hebrews encourages us to see Jesus’ sacrifice as once and for all (Hebrews 9:26). Christ has become the eternal mediator between humanity and God, securing forever the redemption of humanity. What good news for those who believe!

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess". - Hebrews 4:14

Prayer Point:

God, I thank you for your incredible plan of redemption. I’m humbled by the scope and scale of your amazing revelation first to Israel and now to your church. Jesus, thank you for your compassion and willingness to move upon our hopelessness and secure redemption now and forever. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to bring about purity and grace in my life as I seek to follow you. Amen.