A Better Way

A Better Way

Our Bible study group is doing a year-long survey of the Bible. The goal is to step back to see the Bible as a unified revelation of God, to understand the themes of entire books, rather than the content of short, isolated passages. This week we were flying through Leviticus. It's not an easy read, especially for us, removed so far from the culture and time into which the book was written! Some of the more obscure passages remain mysterious to us as to the reason for them and/or the way we can apply them to our lives as Christian Believers. Long detailed passages describe ritual sacrifices, preparation of priests for ministry, and the laws governing the lives of the Israeli nation. But, as I read the book this week, on the whole I was inspired. That's right! In the middle of those passages about blood sacrifices and ritual purity, I caught a renewed glimpse of the "other-ness" of God, of His transcendence. The Law was rigorous, reflecting the holiness of Yahweh. He is not a God to be trifled with, or to be treated contemptuously. He is not the 'Big Guy in the Sky,' as irreverently referred to by some in ignorance. One study participant told me, "I've never read it before!" I loved her response to the book - "They had it hard. I am glad I am a Christian!" Me, too!

The book of Hebrews compares the Law of Moses with the new Covenant centered on Christ. We are urged to rejoice in the grace of God, expressed in Christ Jesus! I'll let it speak for itself. "Here is the main point: Our High Priest sat down in the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. There he ministers in the sacred tent, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands. And since every high priest is required to offer gifts and sacrifices, our High Priest must make an offering, too. If he were here on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there already are priests who offer the gifts required by the law of Moses. They serve in a place of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the design I have shown you here on the mountain.” But our High Priest has been given a ministry that is far superior to the ministry of those who serve under the old laws, for he is the one who guarantees for us a better covenant with God, based on better promises. " (Hebrews 8:1-8, NLT)

The Law was detailed and specific, but it did not change the human heart. It brought condemnation as those who lived under it realized the widening gap between God's requirements and their performance. So, the faithful among them came to the priests with their sacrificial offerings seeking forgiveness. But even those offerings did not take away their sin, they only covered them! In Christ, we find our sins removed, our hearts and minds transformed so that we are 'becomers,' changing into the likeness of our Savior by the internal work of the Spirit! It makes me want to shout and jump for joy. We are not constrained by law and threatened with penalty, but called by promise and offered spiritual power.

But, will we accept the calling? Will we wed truth and faith, so that a holy response to our amazing God is evident in our lives?

The inspired writer of Hebrews offers Believers this challenge - "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him," (Hebrews 2:1-3, NKJV) ... "Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ." (Hebrews 3:12-14, NLT)

Look to Jesus! Come and see His beauty. Be captivated by the indescribable grace that makes it possible for ornery, ordinary sinners to become gentle, precious saints!
God is the same. His majesty, His holiness has not changed, nor will it ever. But He has opened up a new and better way for you and me - offering His Son as our 'once for all time' sacrifice that takes away the sins of the world.

Hallelujah, what a Savior!