Oct 31, 2016
EZEKIEL 36-37:
In
chapter 34, we heard the passage that many Jews would have thought
of when they heard Jesus say, “I am the good shepherd. I give my
life for the sheep.” The Lord promised to take away corrupt
shepherds and to shepherd the flock himself.
Like we heard in Ezekiel and in Isaiah, and will hear in Revelation, Babylon will be judged. That kingdom was God’s tool to execute judgment, but they themselves will feel God’s judgment.
HEBREWS 10a:
In
chapter 9 of Hebrews, details about rituals under the first
covenant were given. The writer was showing by contrast how Jesus
entered a greater, permanent, holy, divinely made Most Holy Place
with the one-time-only sacrifice of his own blood. In our time, I
think the details also show us the impossibility of our ever
rebuilding a system like the Mosaic covenant. I take this
opportunity to share my opinion— which I recognize will not be
shared by all listeners. But here it is: Those who want to add old
covenant observances to our Christian faith just add accretions of
man-made ritual. It is better to study and understand how much
better the new covenant is, rather than to add empty and powerless
ritual and symbolism from the old to the new.
22 So let us come near to God with a sincere heart[, with full belief, and// and a sure faith,] with hearts that have been purified from a guilty conscience and with bodies washed with clean water.