Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - Kansas City, Missouri, United States - "Blood Required for Entrance" Thursday, 22 January 2015 - Scripture: Hebrews 9: The Tent in Heaven1 The first promise that was made included rules for worship and a tent for worship here on earth. 2 The first part of the tent was called the holy place, and a lampstand, a table, and the sacred loaves of bread were kept there.
3 Behind the curtain was the most holy place. 4 The gold altar that was used for burning incense was in this holy place. The gold-covered sacred chest was also there, and inside it were three things. First, there was a gold jar filled with manna.[a] Then there was Aaron’s walking stick that sprouted.[b] Finally, there were the flat stones with the Ten Commandments written on them. 5 On top of the chest were the glorious creatures with wings[c] opened out above the place of mercy.[d]
Now isn’t the time to go into detail about these things. 6 But this is how everything was when the priests went each day into the first part of the tent to do their duties. 7 However, only the high priest could go into the second part of the tent, and he went in only once a year. Each time he carried blood to offer for his sins and for any sins that the people had committed without meaning to.
8 All of this is the Holy Spirit’s way of saying that no one could enter the most holy place while the tent was still the place of worship. 9 This also has a meaning for today. It shows that we cannot make our consciences clear by offering gifts and sacrifices. 10 These rules are merely about such things as eating and drinking and ceremonies for washing ourselves. And rules about physical things will last only until the time comes to change them for something better.[Footnotes:
9.4 manna: When the people of Israel were wandering through the desert, the Lord provided them with food that could be made into thin wafers. This food was called manna, which in Hebrew means “What is it?”
9.4 Aaron’s walking stick that sprouted: According to Numbers 17.1-11, Aaron’s walking stick sprouted and produced almonds to show that the Lord was pleased with him and Moses.
9.5 glorious creatures with wings: Two of these creatures (called “cherubim” in Hebrew and Greek) with outspread wings were on top of the sacred chest and were symbols of God’s throne.
9.5 place of mercy: The lid of the sacred chest, which was thought to be God’s throne on earth.]
"Blood Required for Entrance" by Phil Pinckard
Blood sacrifices for sins the high priest and his people committed in ignorance, were required for admission to the holy of holies.
John Wesley notes: “I believe there is no such perfection in this life as excludes these involuntary transgressions which I apprehend to be naturally consequent on the ignorance and mistakes inseparable from mortality”* Just as Job offered sacrifices for his children just in case they had sinned (Job 1:5) so the high priest offered blood sacrifices for himself and his people. Wesley continues “Therefore sinless perfection is a phrase I never use, lest I should seem to contradict myself.”*
Sin is a willful transgression of a known law, but in ignorance we may also trespass against the law of God. Thankfully, “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).[* W. Stephen Gunter, The Quotable Mr. Wesley, Atlanta: Candler School of Theology, Emory University, 2003, 55, 56.]
Hymn for Today: "Walking in the Light" by Barney E. Warren
1. “He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness,
But shall have the light, the light of life”;
Walking in His footsteps, pure and spotless,
We are fully saved from sinful strife.
Refrain:
Walking in the light, walking in the light,
Walking in the light, the light of God;
Walking in the light, walking in the light,
2. Walking in the light, the precious light of God.
“He that followeth Me shall have full assurance
That his sins are pardoned, every one”;
He shall have the knowledge of acceptance
In the Father’s well-beloved Son.
Refrain:
Walking in the light, walking in the light,
Walking in the light, the light of God;
Walking in the light, walking in the light,
3. “He that followeth Me shall conquer forever,
For I’ll interpose My grace and pow’r;
From My hand of strength there’s naught can sever,
If you will obey and trust each hour.”
Refrain:
Walking in the light, walking in the light,
Walking in the light, the light of God;
Walking in the light, walking in the light,
4. “He that followeth Me shall have peace and pleasure,
He that will reject My word shall fall;
I will freely give My hidden treasure
Unto those who hear and heed My call.”
Refrain:
Walking in the light, walking in the light,
Walking in the light, the light of God;
Walking in the light, walking in the light,
5. “He that followeth Me shall dwell safe in heaven,
And forever wear a starry crown;
But if you should die in sin’s dominion,
Awful fears of night will press you down.”
Refrain:
Walking in the light, walking in the light,
Walking in the light, the light of God;
Walking in the light, walking in the light,
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