LutheranLectionary.org

Reflections on Scripture with Dr. Leins

Time Stamp	Transcript
0:08	[Music]
0:15	hello
0:18	today
0:19	let’s talk about the presence of a holy
0:22	God
0:24	how does a sinful person
0:27	come into the presence of a holy God
0:31	that’s the question that the writer of
0:33	the book of Hebrews addresses in the
0:35	ninth chapter
0:37	Hebrews 9 describes Two Old Testament
0:41	cleansing rituals
0:43	and then shows how they each are
0:45	superseded and completed by the perfect
0:48	sacrificial offering of Jesus Christ on
0:52	the cross
0:54	Hebrews 9
0:56	it begins with a description of the
0:59	three sections of the ancient Tabernacle
1:02	the Tabernacle was fenced off by a
1:05	screen made of fine white linen 100
1:08	cubits long 50 cubits wide and five
1:11	cubits tall
1:13	through the opening of the screen was an
1:16	entrance into the outer Court
1:19	farther in was an ornate tent called The
1:23	Holy place and finally within the tent
1:27	was a beautiful veil
1:29	and behind the veil was the holy of
1:31	holies where the Ark of the Covenant was
1:34	kept the ark was covered with gold and
1:38	on top of the Ark with a cherubim of
1:40	Glory overshadowing the mercy seeked
1:44	which was the Throne of God
1:47	priests could minister in the outer
1:50	court and the holy Place throughout the
1:52	year but only one priest the high priest
1:54	on only one day a year could enter the
1:58	holy of holies
2:00	that was the day of atonement
2:03	God required a ritual cleansing its
2:07	purpose was to atone for the sins of
2:09	God’s people and to make them acceptable
2:12	to God
2:13	please see Leviticus chapter 16.
2:18	so first
2:19	Aaron slaughtered the Bull of the sin
2:22	offering and made atonement for himself
2:25	and for his household
2:27	Aaron took the blood of the bull inside
2:30	the veil into the holy of holies and
2:32	sprinkled it with his finger on the
2:35	mercy seat and in front of the mercy
2:37	seat seven times
2:40	then Aaron slaughtered the goat of the
2:44	sin offering and made atonement for all
2:47	the sins of all the people
2:49	he also brought this blood inside the
2:53	veil of the Tabernacle and sprinkled it
2:56	on the mercy seat and in front of the
2:58	mercy seat seven times
3:01	Aaron then made atonement for the holy
3:04	Place itself because of the impurities
3:06	and transgressions of the people and he
3:09	made atonement for the entire tent of
3:11	meeting
3:13	now in contrast to that
3:17	the writer of the book of Hebrews writes
3:19	in chapter 9 verses 11 and 12. but
3:25	when Christ appeared as high priest of
3:29	the good things to come he entered
3:31	through the greater and more perfect
3:33	Tabernacle not made with hands that is
3:36	to say not of this creation and not
3:40	through the blood of goats and calves
3:42	but through his own blood he entered the
3:45	holy Place once for all having obtained
3:49	Eternal Redemption
3:52	Hebrews is speaking of Jesus entering
3:56	Heaven itself into the very presence of
3:59	God
4:00	the atonement that Jesus made on the
4:02	cross was not by means of the blood of
4:05	calves and goats but by his own perfect
4:07	and Precious Blood shed for the sin of
4:11	the world this sacrifice did not need to
4:15	be repeated it was a once for all time
4:17	sacrifice for Eternal Redemption a
4:21	perfect sacrifice offered now in the
4:24	holy of holies of Heaven itself
4:28	Hebrews declares that if the blood of
4:31	calves and goats sanctify for the
4:34	cleansing of the flesh how much more
4:36	will the blood of the perfect Son of God
4:39	cleanse our consciences from each and
4:42	all of our sins
4:45	his offering cleanses us
4:48	with a Heavenly detergent that washes us
4:52	truly clean God’s high priest Jesus
4:55	himself offers God’s own blood the blood
4:58	of Jesus Christ is more than sufficient
5:01	to cleanse yes beloved to cleanse even
5:04	you and me
5:06	Hebrews 9 also speaks of an earlier
5:09	event of cleansing this sacrifice is
5:12	recorded in Exodus chapter 24 after
5:15	Moses had been on the mountain with God
5:17	and had received the Ten Commandments
5:19	now in Hebrews 9 19 we are told how
5:24	Moses took the blood of calves and goats
5:27	with water and Scarlet wool and hyssop
5:30	and Moses sprinkled the book of the
5:33	Covenant with blood
5:35	and then he sprinkled the people Moses
5:38	sprinkled the Tabernacle and all of the
5:41	vessels of the ministry with blood
5:44	Hebrews explains that these copies of
5:48	heavenly things had to be cleansed with
5:50	blood
5:51	Hebrews 9 verse 24.
5:55	but Christ did not enter a holy Place
5:58	made with hands a mere copy of the true
6:02	one
6:03	but he entered into heaven itself
6:06	the Greek word for the mere copy the
6:09	Earthly copy is anti-tupos an anti-type
6:13	Jesus did not enter an anti-type the
6:16	Savior entered into the true heaven in
6:18	order to Bear His True Blood Sacrifice
6:21	into the very presence of God
6:24	he did that for us
6:26	his sacrifices now the consummation of
6:29	all the ages in that now he has put away
6:31	sin for all those who believe by the
6:35	perfect blood sacrifice of himself
6:39	now let’s tie this to Holy Communion
6:43	in Exodus chapters 12 and 13 God gave a
6:46	command to the people whom he had
6:49	delivered from Egyptian slavery they
6:52	must memorialize or remember the Lord’s
6:55	Passover throughout the ages
6:58	the Jewish understanding of remembering
7:00	is very different from the 21st century
7:02	North American idea
7:04	for the Jew to remember is not just a
7:07	mental activity
7:09	to remember is for the past event to
7:12	become a present reality
7:15	it is to participate so Faithfully in
7:18	God’s work of Salvation that the
7:20	believer finds that God’s past events
7:23	covenants and promises are his or her
7:26	own present events covenants and
7:30	Promises
7:32	God who is over all time includes the
7:35	believer in God’s salvation history
7:38	again to remember for the Jew
7:41	is for past events to become present
7:44	realities
7:46	but you already know this remember word
7:49	because Jesus said it
7:52	this is my body which is for you
7:55	do this in remembrance of me
7:57	this cup is the New Covenant in my blood
8:00	do this as often as you drink it in
8:03	remembrance of me
8:05	Jesus was making reference to the same
8:08	biblical concept our Lord called us to
8:11	do this in his remembrance therefore
8:14	Jesus himself his past events and his
8:18	Divine person are present now each time
8:21	we celebrate his holy communion
8:25	are you beginning to
8:27	tie together the sacrifice of blood that
8:29	God required to come into His presence
8:32	in the Old Testament with the offering
8:34	of the blood of Jesus Christ May before
8:37	the father and also given to us in holy
8:40	communion in the New Testament
8:43	can you see how the work of Jesus as the
8:46	high priest who carries his blood the
8:48	offering of his perfect sacrifice into
8:51	the Heavenly Sanctuary is the blood that
8:54	we receive in the remembrance of his
8:57	passion that is present for us upon the
9:01	altar of every holy communion
9:04	this is not an anti-type a shadow made
9:07	with hands this Sacrament is the true
9:12	reality the true body and blood of
9:14	Christ it is the pure offering of Jesus
9:18	upon the cross
9:19	that is the perfect blood offering made
9:22	by the Son of God to God the father in
9:25	his holy heaven and because Jesus
9:27	commands us to take and eat through
9:30	drinky all of it to do this in his
9:32	remembrance
9:33	as we do so in Holy Communion we
9:37	participate in the Divine offering of
9:40	Christ upon the cross and his Divine
9:43	offering on our behalf Before the Throne
9:46	of God
9:47	we taste the Divine body and blood and
9:52	we are thereby made acceptable to come
9:56	into the very presence of almighty God
9:59	how else could you come before the
10:01	Throne of God except
10:04	by the offering
10:06	the blood
10:07	and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ made
10:11	for you and that is now in You by the
10:14	sacrament of holy communion
10:18	now
10:20	let’s add one more scripture to help us
10:23	understand how a sinful person can come
10:26	before a holy God
10:28	Jesus said
10:30	in that day you shall know that I am in
10:34	the father and you are in me and I am in
10:39	you John 14 verse 20. in Holy Communion
10:44	we see this very clearly Jesus is not
10:46	just with us Jesus is in us he does
10:49	physically what he also does spiritually
10:52	Jesus has taken eat this is my body
10:55	drink of it all of you this is my blood
10:57	and when we receive Holy Communion we
11:01	receive the true body and blood of
11:03	Christ into our hands and mouths and
11:06	hearts all of this you know
11:10	but there’s more
11:12	because not only is Jesus in US
11:16	but we are in him
11:19	not only is Jesus present with us but we
11:22	are present with Jesus you see that when
11:25	Jesus says you are in me and I am in you
11:28	he is not only present where we are but
11:30	we are present where he is that opens up
11:34	some truly incredible realities so as
11:37	Jesus is seated in the Heavenly places
11:40	at the right hand of God you too are
11:43	with him in him seated in the heavenlies
11:47	at the right hand of God you may think
11:50	lines you’ve gone too far here but the
11:53	word of God teaches this exactly in
11:55	Ephesians chapter 2. God raised us up
11:59	with Christ he seated us with him in his
12:02	Heavenly Kingdom because we are united
12:05	with Christ Jesus
12:07	does that change your perspective at all
12:09	knowing that because Jesus has joined
12:12	himself to you not only is he always
12:16	present with you but in the mystery of
12:18	God you are present with him
12:21	Christ is present in the most holy place
12:24	and you are with him and in him in that
12:29	most holy place two
12:31	you are present with Christ as he
12:34	continually makes intercession for you
12:36	using his pure offering of perfect blood
12:40	how else could you be there in the
12:42	presence of our holy God except as he
12:44	has commanded you to eat drink and
12:47	remember
12:48	as he has brought you with him into the
12:52	Heavenly holy place where God is Christ
12:55	is where Christ is you are
12:58	Jesus said I am in my father you are in
13:03	me I am in you
13:08	Heaven Is Not So Far Away
13:11	one part of you is already seated there
13:16	you already have the Divine Persons Of
13:19	Heaven living and working within you
13:22	right now
13:23	for this reason the devil is desperate
13:26	to tempt you confuse you accuse you what
13:30	does he whisper in your ear regarding
13:32	your sin and your flesh
13:34	does your bad conscience condemn you and
13:37	your weak Faith shame you yes
13:40	beloved do not let the devil’s ranting
13:43	steal your security in Christ or
13:45	distract your thoughts from these Divine
13:48	truths
13:50	did Jesus baptize you
13:53	with the washing of regeneration and
13:56	therefore thereby forgive your sins fill
13:59	you with the Holy Spirit and save you
14:01	were you baptized yes
14:04	did Jesus carry his blood into the holy
14:07	place as a perfect offering for your sin
14:09	yes and yes again
14:12	have you tasted his Divine food and by
14:15	it become acceptable before God yes and
14:18	thank God yes
14:21	when the enemy comes whispering and
14:23	tempting confusing and accusing do not
14:26	listen instead Proclaim your complete
14:30	forgiveness your cleansing and your
14:33	Holiness through the blood of Christ
14:35	even now as Christ presents you before
14:39	the Throne of God sprinkled with his
14:42	blood
14:44	the Blessed Sacrament of the altar
14:47	brings the life of the Holy Savior into
14:50	you and at the same time joins Jesus to
14:54	you and he continually makes
14:57	intercession of his sacrifice for you
14:59	before the father
15:02	how does a sinful person come into the
15:04	presence of a holy God Christ your
15:07	savior has already accomplished that for
15:10	you
15:10	you already are in his presence you
15:14	already have your seat in the Heavenly
15:17	places now
15:20	seated with him in part and in the
15:23	twinkling of an eye you will be with him
15:26	there
15:27	forever
15:29	amen
15:40	[Music]
15:51	[Applause]