“In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22)Why is it that when I sin it seems that part of me dies?
Not sure if
you remember an old saying that goes like this, “would you jump in my grave
that fast”? A silly phrase back when I
was a younger girl. I would hear it
often. If a friend was sitting and got
up from their chair, someone quickly would come and sit it in. With laughter, you could hear the person say,
“Would you jump in my grave that fast”?
The things kids say.
Perhaps another
translation might sound like this, “Would you take my place if death was pending
or forthcoming to me”?
Would
you?
While reading
the book of Hebrews I came across a familiar passage, “The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place
had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still
functioning. This is an illustration for the present time,
indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear
the conscience of the worshiper. (Hebrews 9:8-9)
In the days of the Old Testament, as the
Revelation of Jesus Christ was unfolding, we see men going through the rituals
of slaying animals as part of the Levitical Law. In other words, God had set it up this way.
It always, bothered me that God would take an
innocent animal and kill it; the system used to atone for our sin; us
apologizing to God for our mess. Why
death?
I can’t say I still fully understand but this I
do know. The innocent was paying for the
sinful. Someone, in this case, an animal’s
life ended because sin was present.
God had established in the Law, “In fact,
the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the
shedding of blood there
is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22)
It got me to think that every time I sin something is
dying. If I am prideful, humility is
dying. When arrogance steps in than the “lowly
in heart” diminishes.
Every time I sin against God it causes a distance between us.
But praise the Lord there is a remedy. “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your
unfailing love; according to your great
compassion blot
out my
transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:1-2)
Jesus knows what I am made off. He knows that I sometimes fall because sin has tainted
me when disobedience entered the Garden.
Love is never satisfied with just a distant
relationship. God loves us!
He sees the mess; he grieves over our sin and
before you and I were born, the Lord had a plan!
Someone had to die. Who will satisfy and cleanse the guilty
conscious?
“Will you jump in my grave that fast”?
Not only did Jesus die for the sins of men, he
gladly did it; The Innocent for the guilty.
The next time you are wondering about what to say to the Lord
in the midst of worship, let Him know that you are thankful that he took your place, that you love the position he took to set us free. Tell him that you don’t want any good part of you
to die and that you need his help. Keep me close to you Lord.
Lord, we pray for humility and a heart that worships
You! Let my heart understand the gravity of my sin and the humility you expressed when you took my place!
“Would you jump in my grave that fast”? Jesus went to the cross and said, Yes!
Glory to the Most High God; the Sacrificial Lamb of God.
God bless you!~Liz
