Monday, May 5, 2008: Hebrews 10:11-18 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 'This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.' Then he adds: 'Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.' And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. Hebrews 10:11-18 NIV There are two scripture illustrations coming to mind when I read these verses. The first is this mental picture or vision for those who are not too uncomfortable with that word. God can not look at sin. Jesus, I believe felt the separation from His father when the sins of this world fell upon Him on the cross. He cried out and asked God why have you forsaken me? This big six foot curtain hanging in the Holy of Holies where only the priests could go to offer up animal sacrifices for sin, was ripped from top to bottom the moment of Jesus death. Jesus died to give us access to the Holy of Holies where only the priests could go. We do not need to go to any priest for our sins to be forgiven. There is a mystery about this and it causes me to remember David. He went through the gate of the temple with a thankful heart, and by the time he got into the courtyard and approached the steps in the temple, he was praising God already. He worshiped God and danced before Him. Into the HOly of Holies by the blood of the lamb giving us the "way" as HE came to give us the truth and eternal life. John 14:6 tells us Jesus is the only way to speak to God, only through the blood and knowing there are no deeds needed, but a full surrender of your will to die to yourself and be born again; washed in the blood of the lamb so you can approach the throne boldly and speak to your father when you come to realize; HE gave you entrance the day the curtain was ripped in the temple. The second point is in regard to the "old ways" of priests and customs. It was the custom of a priest not to sit down ever, because it meant "it is finished" and when Jesus was a child, he spoke to the elders from the word of God and HE sat down. This verse reminded me of not only how Jesus said "it is finished" before His last breath, but also reminds me of how important it is in today's society to say what you mean, let your words be as salt; and do not allow yourself to debate, or get into emty discussions which do no good to the hearers. Avoid Godless chatter and let your words be few on this earth so that when you sit down, there is silence as people meditate on what you said "when you do speak." There is no longer any sacrifice needed from you except for you to live as a joint heir with Jesus; separate your who from your do, and pray for the wisdom to know we are in the day when we can not trust ourself to any man or woman, but only trust people to God and our lives be hidden in His love and truth. A priest may keep standing up, performing religious duties, but the son of God who is on the right hand of God praying for HIS saints, sits down.

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