The reality of heaven is reflected to us in God’s Law. When God says, “You shall have no other God’s. You shall not misuse my name. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Honor your Father and Mother. You shall not murder.” etc, this is a reflection of the reality of heaven. But we’re not there yet, and we’re dealing with shadows of the good things to come.
The sacrifices of animals in the Old Testament reminded the people of their sin. It brought to mind over and over again that they needed forgiveness they could not obtain. But when Jesus came He did away with those regular sacrifices by doing God’s will. He kept the law perfectly so that, as we live in Him, we could be made holy through the offering of His own body as the sacrifice for our sins.
Jesus has poked the heavenly reality into our midst. In Him we catch a glimpse of the eternal reality – not just a shadow, but a real peek at God. Therefore His single sacrifice offered once and for all is enough to make all who will believe in Him perfect. This means that the barriers between us and God are removed by Jesus’ blood and we have access to the Father, which is the significance of the Temple curtain tearing in two when Jesus died.
So, “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean . . . .” Pray! Worship! Enter God’s presence as you read the Bible! You are no longer on the outside, but you have direct access to our Father in Heaven. Come to Him.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Don’t let your hope get built on anything other than the cross of Jesus. You may be a wonderful person doing all kinds of nice things, but your hope is not on those things you do. That would be works righteousness. No indeed! Keep the focus where it belongs, on the One who promised, because he is faithful and will bring to completion what he promised.
“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” Like what? Well, we should worship together, encourage one another, and help one another remember this world is not our home. The words, “stir up” also mean “goad.” Every once-and-a-while we need a poke in the ribs to remind us what direction we’re supposed to be headed in. Sometimes this is the application of God’s Law, reminding us of our sin and who we are supposed to be. Other times it might the call of Gospel moving us to love as we have been loved. In truth, it is both the Law and Gospel at work in our lives telling us and empowering us to live as God’s people.
Newly installed president of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Matt Harrison had a banner at his installation service that I believe reflects this as well. There are three themes on it: Mercy, Witness, and Life Together. These are important parts of our life together in Christ. God had mercy on us, and as a result we have mercy on others – not just spiritually but in the earthly realm as well. We are witnesses because we’ve caught a peek of the heavenly reality in Jesus. “How can we but speak of what we’ve seen and heard?” And we are together, gathered in faith and hope around Word and Sacrament living as the one, holy, Christian, apostolic people of God.
Father in Heaven, help me to have mercy as I have received mercy. Help me to tell others what You have done. And help me to dwell in Your presence with all who believe in You. Amen.
The sacrifices of animals in the Old Testament reminded the people of their sin. It brought to mind over and over again that they needed forgiveness they could not obtain. But when Jesus came He did away with those regular sacrifices by doing God’s will. He kept the law perfectly so that, as we live in Him, we could be made holy through the offering of His own body as the sacrifice for our sins.
Jesus has poked the heavenly reality into our midst. In Him we catch a glimpse of the eternal reality – not just a shadow, but a real peek at God. Therefore His single sacrifice offered once and for all is enough to make all who will believe in Him perfect. This means that the barriers between us and God are removed by Jesus’ blood and we have access to the Father, which is the significance of the Temple curtain tearing in two when Jesus died.
So, “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean . . . .” Pray! Worship! Enter God’s presence as you read the Bible! You are no longer on the outside, but you have direct access to our Father in Heaven. Come to Him.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Don’t let your hope get built on anything other than the cross of Jesus. You may be a wonderful person doing all kinds of nice things, but your hope is not on those things you do. That would be works righteousness. No indeed! Keep the focus where it belongs, on the One who promised, because he is faithful and will bring to completion what he promised.
“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” Like what? Well, we should worship together, encourage one another, and help one another remember this world is not our home. The words, “stir up” also mean “goad.” Every once-and-a-while we need a poke in the ribs to remind us what direction we’re supposed to be headed in. Sometimes this is the application of God’s Law, reminding us of our sin and who we are supposed to be. Other times it might the call of Gospel moving us to love as we have been loved. In truth, it is both the Law and Gospel at work in our lives telling us and empowering us to live as God’s people.
Newly installed president of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Matt Harrison had a banner at his installation service that I believe reflects this as well. There are three themes on it: Mercy, Witness, and Life Together. These are important parts of our life together in Christ. God had mercy on us, and as a result we have mercy on others – not just spiritually but in the earthly realm as well. We are witnesses because we’ve caught a peek of the heavenly reality in Jesus. “How can we but speak of what we’ve seen and heard?” And we are together, gathered in faith and hope around Word and Sacrament living as the one, holy, Christian, apostolic people of God.
Father in Heaven, help me to have mercy as I have received mercy. Help me to tell others what You have done. And help me to dwell in Your presence with all who believe in You. Amen.
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