Only Jesusமாதிரி

Imagine living in a time when you couldn’t access God directly but had to go through priests who mediated for you.  What if the God you knew was found in a pillar of fire and cloud, who thundered and shook the earth when He came down to speak to His chosen prophets. Moses was one such chosen man who spoke to God face to face and was never the same again. God then gave Moses the task of anointing Aaron and his sons for the priesthood while also laying down the law, so to speak. The law had instructions on how the Israelites could serve God better and to love Him wholeheartedly. That was not all, there were laws related to offerings being made on several occasions. These offerings were called wave offerings, grain offerings, burnt offerings, sin offerings and served to bring atonement and restitution to those who offered them. It would have been tedious, painstaking and a little nerve wracking I’m sure to keep track of all the required sacrifices in a year. As expected the people didn’t keep up their side of the bargain and ended up abandoning their God and chasing foreign religions and embracing pagan cultures. It seemed like there was no way man could meet God’s expectations. Jesus was therefore sent to earth as the one and only perfect sacrifice for all of mankind’s sins. He was the sinless Lamb of God who bore all of our sins on Him so that in the shedding of His blood we received atonement and redemption once and for all. It’s the most beautiful and priceless exchange made by a loving father to save all of His children. Today, we remember Jesus’ body which was broken for us and his blood which was shed for us in order to provide us with the gift of salvation whenever we participate in the Lord’s supper. The only condition that is placed before us as we receive this free gift is to come before God with a repentant heart. Without repentance, forgiveness is cheapened. Without contrition, salvation has no value. God is still as Holy as He was during the time of Moses and Aaron. He is deserving of all the Honour,  all the praise and and all of the Glory. He still is awe inspiring in wonder and incredibly magnificent. No words can suitably describe His greatness and might. The Bible says that when we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us of all our unrighteousness. Jesus’ sacrifice didn’t just purify us it also restored us. It restored our relationship with God since we can now approach God directly and restored the hope of eternal life for every one of us who believe in Him.
 

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you for sending Your son to die in my place. I thank you for Your great love towards me. I repent of my sins and ask that You forgive me for all that I have done knowingly and unknowingly that has hurt you. Renew a right spirit within me and lead me in the way everlasting.
In Jesus’ name
Amen.