JC Blog

“But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” ( Hebrews 10:3-4 )

One thing about the law was that it was great about building anticipation to the time of Christ. I imagine that every time a bull or goat was brought as a sacrifice, the people would stop and think about the promised Messiah, longing for Him to come; knowing that when He came there would no longer be the need for these endless sacrifices.

The previous verses state the entire sacrificial system was a foreshadowing to the good things that were coming ( Hebrews 10:1-2 ). They couldn’t clear the conscience of the worshipper but rather served as a reminder of sin. This is why these sacrifices were brought time and time again. The blood of these animals only served as a covering for the body and could never cleanse the entire person. In other words, the blood of bulls and goats were powerless to take away sin.

The Messiah on the other hand would be able to cleanse the entirety of mankind by the sacrifice of Himself. This is why the endless sacrifices served to bring a fresh remembrance of sin. It would prepare the people for Christ. In contrast to the blood of bulls and goats, His blood would take away sin.

When Jesus appeared, He did away with sin by the sacrifice of himself ( Hebrews 9:26 ). His blood was more than enough to cleanse the worshipper and bring each one into perfect fellowship with God the Father ( Hebrews 10:19-22 ). This was what the sacrificial system under the law portrayed and looked forward to in Christ. Now that it is here, there is no longer a need for any other type of atonement. Jesus’ blood worked to cleanse us of sin, the first and only time it was given.

Just as the Israelites looked forward to Christ in anticipation, we can look to Christ, trusting in the perfect redemption He provided. We can rest assured that we are forgiven and accepted through Him alone and that His blood was more than enough to justify us in God’s eyes. Just as the blood of bulls and goats was an annual reminder of sin, the blood of Jesus reminds us that we are forgiven and free through faith in Him. What an amazing truth!

“The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins” ( Hebrews 10:1-2 )

This is a good question. For the time period this was written this would have made them stop and think. If the sacrifices, repeated endlessly, could have cleared the conscience and cleansed once for all, wouldn’t they stop being offered? While we don’t offer animal sacrifices today, this truth remains, as believers we spend a lot of time and energy wrapped up in traditions and doctrines of men instead of focusing on the person of Jesus Christ and in the finished work of the cross. While in reality, many of those things are realized in Christ and we are merely paying attention to a type and shadow of what has already come.

Here’s the contrast. If I were to come around a building with the sun to my back, you would be able to see my shadow coming. You would be able to ascertain certain things about me. You could see if I was tall or short, fat or thin, if I had long hair or short hair, there would be many things that you could get a glimpse of by the shadow that was arriving around the building before me.  However, once I appeared, you wouldn’t need my shadow to determine how I look, you would have the real thing standing in front of you. The same is true for Christ. The Law gave an outline of what Christ would be, but it merely served as a shadow to the real thing. Once Christ came, there is no need for the shadow. It is ridiculous to pay more attention to the shadow than the person.

This passage states this very clearly, “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves” To bring the point home, the writer draws attention to the fact that if they could have worked, they would have only needed to make the offering once, instead of time and time again. Pointing out that the one sacrifice would have cleared the conscience and absolved them from the guilt associated with sin. But this was not the case. This proves that the Law wasn’t the means to an end, the reality of it could only be found in Christ.

Which is exactly the point made in Hebrews chapter 10. The writer contrasts the endless sacrifices dictated by the Law with the one sacrifice made by Jesus and stresses many times that it was all that was needed to forgive sins and cleanse those who draw near, by faith, without any guilt or shame associated with sin.

“First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 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 10:8-18 ).

It is an incredible thing to grasp. The Law was a rude outline expressing what was coming. Christ is the reality of it. And since He has come, there is no need to continue in the things that were a type and shadow. Paul confirms this in Colossians, “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ” ( Colossians 2:16-17 ).

This is an amazing truth with which to renew our minds. Through Christ Jesus, we have been forgiven and cleansed of all guilt associated with sin ( Hebrews 10:18 ). We have been freed from the sin nature that previously held us captive ( Romans 6:6  ). And we have been given the Holy Spirit to assure our hearts before God ( I John 3:19-20 ). Resting in the person of Jesus Christ is far better - in every way imaginable - than being wrapped up in the type and shadow of what has already come.

Christ ushered in the New Covenant of grace, which comes to us by faith alone. Faith placed in what Jesus did to fulfill the Law of Moses. He obtained the righteousness that the Law could never give mankind. And now anyone who trusts in Jesus to save them is freely offered this rightness in place of the guilt and shame which plagued mankind because of sin. Romans makes this very clear, “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” ( Romans 3:21-24 ).

Through faith in Christ we gain the full revelation of what Moses spoke about. He showed us the righteousness of the Law, Jesus is the one who provided that righteousness for us, so the Law could be fulfilled in our hearts. Paul said in II Corinthians, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” ( II Corinthians 5:17-21 ). Now that we have obtained this we become partakers in God’s House where Jesus resides as the faithful Son over it.

Jesus has proven Himself trustworthy as overseer of the New Covenant God made with mankind. But He is not just a servant of this promise; He is the master and guarantor of the Covenant. It is ratified by His precious blood. Therefore the members of God’s house, everyone who puts their entire trust in Jesus, can rejoice and hold fast to this promise of grace. We can experience confidence before God because of the hope we place in Christ. Since He was faithful to God when He entered humanity to redeem us, He will be faithful to us and every promise that has been made.

What Moses saw and spoke about is fulfilled in Christ. As long as the Son resides over God’s Covenant we rest securely in this promise. We have hope for every situation in life. We know Jesus is our advocate to sympathize and help in every situation. We also know the glory to which we are called and look forward in anticipation to the time when Christ returns.

Tomorrow we will look at Hebrews 3:7-9; Hardness of Heart Effects Our Understanding of God

Growing up, one of the many verses that I memorized was Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." While this verse is true and something that the apostle Paul has been building a case for, in the previous chapters, the main focus of this passage of scripture are the verses that surround this statement.

Even though we were immersed in sin and could not obtain the righteous requirements of the Law, God revealed a righteousness completely separate and independent of the Law. This righteousness comes by faith in Jesus to all who believe. The righteousness that Paul is describing is the righteousness that God ascribes too. It is perfect and holy. Through faith in Jesus, we received this righteousness as a gift. Not a flawed human righteousness, but God's righteousness. Paul said in II Corinthians 5:21, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Jesus literally became sin, the very thing he hated and despised, in order that we could become righteous, the very thing we were incapable of being through the Law. It is truly amazing!

So even though everyone sinned, both Jews and Gentiles and fell short of the virtue that God ascribes to, we are justified freely through the grace that was provided in Christ Jesus. Now it is important to recognize that everyone has sinned and everyone has been forgiven through Jesus. When Christ suffered upon the cross, he suffered and paid the price for the sins of the entire world. Past, present and future . I John 2:2 says, "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." meaning that while he completed the atoning work upon the cross he took care of every sin that will ever be committed, thus completely finishing his work and conquering death in the process. Romans 6:10 says, "The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God." Since he broke the power of sin, he cannot die again, he did it once for all.

Now, does this mean that everyone is saved if everyone's sin has been paid for. No. Although it is true that the gift of God grace has been purchased for all and offered to all, the righteousness that is required by God only comes through Faith in Jesus Christ. We must believe and put our faith into action to accept this free gift in order to be saved. Ephesians 2:8 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" so saving grace works through faith. God simply took away sin so that it wasn't an issue with Him in order to extend the gift of His grace to us. But God wants relationship, that is why He doesn't force this grace onto anyone. He allows us to choose. He chose us. He called us. He provided the way for us. But He doesn't force us to choose Him. He desires for us to choose Him, but the fact remains that we must put our faith in Jesus in order to obtain the righteous of God that the Law could not provide for us.

The important thing to take away is that by His grace, through our faith, we are freely justified. While I was memorizing verses as a kid, we also memorized definitions to big words like justification. Justification means, 'just as if I'd never sinned." and If I am justified or it is 'just as if I'd never sinned' then I am righteous before God through faith. Today, I praise God through Jesus Christ that he became sin so that we could become righteous holy, completely forgiven and justified. Today I pray that you take this amazing truth and live a life worthy of your calling because you have been bought with a high price and with the precious blood of the Lamb.

One Sunday morning I was getting ready to teach and I was struggling because I knew that mornings sermon was intense. I was nervous not knowing how it would be received by the congregation. I knew that it was what the Lord place on my heart to teach them but I also knew that it would be hard for people to hear. All through worship I pleaded with the Lord for grace and favor with his people and the Lord spoke Jeremiah chapter one into my heart. I quickly found it in my Bible and read it. I set my face towards the message the Lord spoke to me that day and preached without fear or reservation. I know I found freedom to teach the Word inhibited as a result of this lesson from Jeremiah. Those in the congregation who chose to plant the seed that was spoken and sown, difficult as it was, also experienced freedom through that message. That sermon, yielded fruit among those who heard it because of obedience to what the Lord told me to do.

This lesson from Jeremiah was a turning point in my life. Since then I have operated with this as my mission statement: Simply speak forth the Word of God and place all dependence upon performance on the authors shoulders. I have found incredible liberty in this. Jeremiah 1 has taught me so many things and as I reflect over it, I decided to share this revelation so that others can find such freedom. Each verse holds special meaning for the mission the Lord gave me. As I walk through it I pray that His word also speaks to you and your calling.

Lesson #1 - God loves me. God created me, set me apart and consecrated me for his special purpose.

"The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." ( Jeremiah 1:4-5 )

One could say that destiny makes the difference between the ordinary and the extraordinary. Destiny is not a preordained path chosen for you, that will be accomplished whether or not you cooperate with it. Destiny is a special calling upon your life that the Lord purposed for you before you were born. It takes full collaboration on your part. God loves you so much that created you with destiny in mind. He took great care informing and equipping you to carry it out his plan for your life. He has also been speaking it to your heart, placing a desire in you to pursue it. When you operate as God designed you, you will experience incredible joy.

If you look at the great men in the Bible, you will see that they were fully aware that they had a destiny to fulfill. They knew God had a plan for their lives. Like Jeremiah, David knew the intensity of God's love for him that is why he wrote Psalm 139, he knew that the Lord created him in the womb with a purpose in mind. Isaiah also spoke of his calling in Isaiah 49, "Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name." (Isaiah 49:1). Jesus operated in his purpose while on this earth and knew what he came to do. "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." ( Luke 4:18-19 ). Lastly the Apostle Paul wrote that he was called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God many times in the epistles. Recounting his mission to everyone he ministered to. A mission that was set apart for him alone. All of these men overcame extraordinary circumstances because they were sure of their calling. They had a destiny, they knew God loved and chose them for a specific purpose. The end result, the world was blessed.

When the Lord spoke this to me that Sunday morning, I knew that I had been set apart to teach the Word of God without fear. I knew the Lord loved me and delighted in seeing me operate in this way. He has called me to be a prophet to his beloved church speaking forth the Word in love, but also in fullness with no apologies. I took great comfort in knowing that this was what I was suppose to do in life... simply put, seek the Lord, teach the Word and watch him perform it.

Lesson #2 - It is God who qualifies

"Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. " ( Jeremiah 1:6-8 )

I am the most unqualified person. I am young, I am a women, I've never been to Bible college and I've never taken a writing class, you can't get more unqualified that that. Besides that, I have face a lot of discouragement in life from well meaning people who have told me that I am ill-equipped to accomplish such a task as I writing this Romans commentary for all of the reasons mentioned above. That is why I am so thankful that God's doesn't look for qualifications, he looks for a willing heart.

Moses pleaded several times with the Lord to send someone else to Pharaoh to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. ( Exodus 4:10, Exodus, 6:12, Exodus 6:30 ) He was not eloquent nor did he command attention in the kings presence. However the Lord chose to use him anyway. He also gave him Aaron to help accomplish the task. And because of his obedience he accomplished great things that continues to bless us today.

Like Moses, I have a helper. I have the Holy Spirit living inside of me directing and guiding as I walk out the Lord's plan for my life. The Lord has made it clear to me that I am to go and say whatever he directs me to speak forth. My qualifications can't get in the way, because I have none. I am completely reliant on the Lord for direction and for the words to speak. It is God who qualifies period. If my qualifications are based upon Him, then with that comes no fear. For I have a guarantee of the promise, the Lord said, "for I am with you and will rescue you" ( Jeremiah 1:8 )

Lesson #3 - It is God who gives me the words to speak

"Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth." ( Jeremiah 1:9 )

I am, by nature, a quiet unassuming person. I do not like confrontation and I do not like to be in the spotlight. I am not witty and I am not an eloquent speaker on my own. However, I know that I am not on my own. The Lord has given me the words to speak. He has placed them upon my heart and overflowing from my spirit. They are in my mouth, on my lips and in the forefront of my mind. These words are ready at a moments notices to teach and preach the word of God.

I am reminded of two instances in the book of Acts when people spoke as directed by the Holy Spirit. No one could refute what they were saying because it was evident that they spoke on behalf of God. The first instance is in Acts 4. "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." ( Acts 4:13 ). Both men were blue collar fisherman from an area of Galilee that was known for being uneducated. When the crowd looked at them they saw common men with no educational advantage, they considered them ignorant. However, when they heard them speak in Holy Spirit they took notice that these men had been with Jesus. The change was evident.

Secondly, a few chapters later Stephen was brought before the Sanhedrin on false charges. In reality it was because they couldn't overcome him with their arguments. The Bible says, "but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke." (Acts 6:10). So they roused the crowd to stone him to death. The real reason is because they knew he spoke the wisdom of God and they could not compete with that.

I am learning to operate in the Holy Spirit and in the revelation that he gives me. I am speaking and writing spiritual words that have not originated from something I've dreamt up. These words have been given to me by God. His promise to me was that He would give me the words to speak when he qualified and set me apart for this special purpose... to preach the Word of God and let Him perform it.

Lesson #4 - You have to tear down before you can build up

"See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant." ( Jeremiah 1:10 )

On of the biggest challenges to preaching the Word of God is that is contrary to most peoples doctrine. After all most people do not let the Bible get in the way of what they think. With so many denominations and so many factions of the church we see a lot of contrary ideas and notions. Doctrine is ingrained in us from a very early age and we will usually assume the viewpoints of whatever our denomination teaches. While this can be good, it can also become a stumbling block to us and our understanding of the scriptures.

I feel like the Apostle Paul. I had so many preconceived notions and doctrines instilled in me from a very early age. When I was baptized in the Holy Spirit and began to understand the scriptures in a whole new way, many of the things I was learning was at conflict with what I had learned. I spend a lot of time meditating on the scriptures, letting the Lord speak the truth in to my heart and bringing balance in the midst. Many of those doctrines had to be uprooted and torn out of my life before I could move into the fullness of Christ. It was a process, still painful at times, but so worth it in the end.

This is part of my mission. To uproot and tear down doctrines of men in order to build and plant the seeds of the Word. This is painful at times because it comes against what people think and fight to hold onto. But it is also necessary. Learning and teaching in the Holy Spirit will produced different result than teaching based on limited understanding or doctrines of men. The Lord has appointed me to do this. He has given me the understanding, He has given me the words to speak and he has told me not to be afraid.

Lesson #5 - It is God who performs His word

"The word of the LORD came to me: "What do you see, Jeremiah?" "I see the branch of an almond tree," I replied. The LORD said to me, "You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled." ( Jeremiah 1:11-12 )

This is the most amazing promise! I have limited responsibility in my mission. If I do what I am suppose to do, then success of my mission depends upon God. I only have to speak forth what God has placed on my heart and instructed me to do. And He performs it. With obedience always comes a promise, God's promise to me is that He will perform his word. That is powerful.

Isaiah 55:11 says, "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. " ( Isaiah 55:11 ) Meaning that the word will bring forth a harvest. It will accomplish a purpose. It will not return empty or in vain, but in fullness. God told Jeremiah that He was the one watching his word to see it fulfilled. That wasn't up to Jeremiah, he only had to speak it forth.

Funny thing about a harvest, you can only harvest what has been planted. To have a crop, seed has to be sown. If seed is sown, then a crop is guaranteed because God designed it this way. That is why God has ordained me to sow the seeds of the word into my life and the others I meet. So He can have a harvest. He will cultivate it, he will grow it, then he will harvest it. This is awesome!

Lesson #6 - People and doctrine will come against You

"The word of the LORD came to me again: "What do you see?" "I see a boiling pot, tilting away from the north," I answered. The LORD said to me, "From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land. I am about to summon all the peoples of the northern kingdoms," declares the LORD. "Their kings will come and set up their thrones in the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem; they will come against all her surrounding walls and against all the towns of Judah. I will pronounce my judgments on my people because of their wickedness in forsaking me, in burning incense to other gods and in worshiping what their hands have made. " ( Jeremiah 1:13-16 )

If I know anything, I know that teaching the fullness of the scriptures is not popular. People hate you for it. People will fight you tooth and nail to stay in bondage to sin, sickness, poverty, trials and everything thing else. They will accuse you of being a false prophet and teaching things that are contrary to scripture. However, I will remember the mission that the Lord is showing me so that I do not get distracted by it. My Mission, simply put is to speak forth the Word and watch the Lord perform it

Lesson #7 - God is my courage and won't put me to shame

"Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them." ( Jeremiah 1:17 )

Boldness is an asset to speaking on behalf of the Lord especially when the Lord is backing you up. If he has promised to fulfill his word then there should be confidence in that. I remember the first time I realized this. It was a Sunday morning and I was getting ready. I was preaching that day and my normal routine was praying something along the lines of asking God to make me humble, to make me disappear at the pulpit so people would see the Lord in me. And I remember the Lord speaking to my spirit that they couldn't see Him if I disappeared in middle of the message. They would see Him and His power if I preached the word without fear and with boldness through the Spirit. It goes back to lesson #2, it is God who qualifies. The congregation knew who I was and also knew when the Lord was speaking through me. He started encouraging me that day to enjoy teaching and to be bold in it. To put my confidence in Him and he wouldn't let me down. Everything changed that day, because the Lord taught me this lesson... He is my courage and won't put me to shame.

Lesson #8 - God has made you strong, nothing will overcome you, He will rescue you

"Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land-against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD." ( Jeremiah 1:18-19 )

Funny thing how the Lord equips his saints. I have become a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall and nothing can overcome that because that was built by God. Paul said in Romans 8, "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." ( Romans 8:31-39 ). Because of Jesus, I am who I am. None of it is because of me. It is God who has made me strong. It is God who has made me a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall. It is because of God that I am allowed to stand so that nothing will overcomes me. It is God who recues me.

Bottom Line - IT IS GOD, NOT ME!

My Mission is to speak forth the Word and watch the Lord perform it
Lesson #1 - God loves me. God created me, set me apart and consecrated me for his special purpose.
Lesson #2 - It is God who qualifies
Lesson #3 - It is God who gives me the words to speak
Lesson #4 - You have to tear down before you can build up
Lesson #5 - It is God who performs His word
Lesson #6 - People and doctrine will come against You
Lesson #7 - God is my courage and won't put me to shame
Lesson #8 - God has made you strong, nothing will overcome you, he will rescue you

As I read back over my lessons from Jeremiah, it is awesome and my eyes are opened. Everything starts with God is, God has or God will do. Today I am blessed by my calling in life. I am honored knowing God has created me for a purpose and a destiny. I am thankful that he has equipped me. And I am looking forward to seeing it come to completion in Christ Jesus MY LORD! Amen and So Be IT!