The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Ezekiel 45:18-20,
As Ezekiel's vision continues he is given instructions that sound much like what Moses was given as he met with the Lord: a design for a sanctuary for the Lord, identification for who is to serve as priests, their garments, instructions on propriety relative to temple worship and instructions for sacrifices and offerings. I note a central theme of both sets of instructions surrounds that which provides atonement: blood. It is blood that makes atonement.
"The life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life." Leviticus 17:11. And so, as we read of our wonderful Savior Jesus Christ, we find that blood - his blood - was necessary to make a once-for-all atonement for all mankind, "He [Jesus Christ] 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, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" Hebrews 9:12-14.
The value of this currency of atonement that Jesus brought with him into the Most Holy Place is far beyond any wealth this world has to offer. Peter puts it this way, "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." 1 Peter 1:18-19"
The "precious blood of Christ" is a theme found throughout all of God's revelation to us, whether through Moses or Ezekiel or in the New Testament. It was and always has been the blood of Jesus Christ that brings atonement!
How wonderful he offered it up for all of us! What love has been expressed by this one sacrificial act!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
""This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In the first month on the first day you are to take a young bull without defect and purify the sanctuary. The priest is to take some of the blood of the sin offering and put it on the doorposts of the temple, on the four corners of the upper ledge of the altar and on the gateposts of the inner court. You are to do the same on the seventh day of the month for anyone who sins unintentionally or through ignorance; so you are to make atonement for the temple."
As Ezekiel's vision continues he is given instructions that sound much like what Moses was given as he met with the Lord: a design for a sanctuary for the Lord, identification for who is to serve as priests, their garments, instructions on propriety relative to temple worship and instructions for sacrifices and offerings. I note a central theme of both sets of instructions surrounds that which provides atonement: blood. It is blood that makes atonement.
"The life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life." Leviticus 17:11. And so, as we read of our wonderful Savior Jesus Christ, we find that blood - his blood - was necessary to make a once-for-all atonement for all mankind, "He [Jesus Christ] 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, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" Hebrews 9:12-14.
The value of this currency of atonement that Jesus brought with him into the Most Holy Place is far beyond any wealth this world has to offer. Peter puts it this way, "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." 1 Peter 1:18-19"
The "precious blood of Christ" is a theme found throughout all of God's revelation to us, whether through Moses or Ezekiel or in the New Testament. It was and always has been the blood of Jesus Christ that brings atonement!
How wonderful he offered it up for all of us! What love has been expressed by this one sacrificial act!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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