Grow Together

Read Hebrews 6:14-10:18
 
Hebrews 9:14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.
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THE Hebrews writer is focused on connecting the Old Testament, the Old Promise, with the New Testament, the New Promise. He reminded the Jews, who became Christians, of God’s sacrificial requirements to atone for their sin. As we know, with the Old Covenant, God required the blood from animals. With the New Covenant, God required the blood from his very own son.
   What do you think? Is there any sense of awe and worship n your heart as you consider the Creator Father God killing his Son for you? Yes, Scripture says, He (Jesus) gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. (1 Timothy 2:6a) Jesus did submit to the Father’s will. He did volunteer to take up the cross. That is what the Father commanded. Jesus obeyed. This happened in God’s purpose. God killed his Son for you.
   We don’t say it that way. We use “sacrifice”, “death” and “blood”, but God the Father caused it. Why would he do that? He did so because he loves you that much. He loves you beyond your understanding. He was willing to take his Son to the altar and kill him for you because God so loved the world, he gave his only Son. (John 3:16a)
   That’s what he did. Jesus died on a cross to atone for your sins, to save you from death.
   Isn’t this why we are celebrating his birth in a manager on this day? Let’s remember why he was named Jesus. Luke 1:31 “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” 34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”…69 (Mary exalted) “He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David “… 2:11 (The angels announced.) “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord, has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”
   Born for you to die for you to rise for you to ascend for you, the Savior awaits his return for you.