Standard Explanation
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement. Leviticus 17:11 NASB
Atonement – Tim Hegg’s summary of the scholarly work on the critical Hebrew word k-p-r is of such importance that we should read it in its entirety. The final paragraph repeats what we discovered in the work of David Leman, that “atonement” is not “covering over of sin” as older lexicons suggest but rather “wiping away of defilement.” In this sense, the sinner must be cleansed in order to come into God’s presence and blood is the means that produces this cleansing. It is not the only means, as Leviticus makes abundantly clear, nor is it the effective means for intentional sin. But it is an important ritual means by which the defilement of the believer is removed.
Baruch Levine adds the further qualification, “Substitution was allowed only in cases of inadvertence. Where the offense against God had been intentional, ritual expiation did not apply.”[1] Furthermore, Levine makes it clear that the context of this ritual expiation is the prohibition against participation in pagan practices of the use of blood as a means of acquiring the power of the sacrificed animal (drinking its blood). This context helps us to realize that the phrase “life is in the blood” does not mean “life is blood” but rather “life is represented in blood.” In other words, it is not blood in itself that affects expiation but rather life represented by blood that affects expiation. The offense to God is punishable by death, and the offense is wiped away by the substituted life symbolized by the blood of the sacrifice. This helps us understand the odd construction in the NASB “by reason of.”
Why should we pay such careful attention to these details about k-p-r? The obvious answer is the fact that Yeshua uses this context at the final meal before the crucifixion: “for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). If Yeshua understood the distinctions we have explored regarding k-p-r, then He is not talking about blood as the element of atonement but rather His life, represented in the symbol of blood-wine. It is His life given upon the altar that wipes away our defilement. The blood is merely a symbol of life. This means that the Catholic idea of transubstantiation is completely wrong-headed, as is any other substitutionary theory that considers blood as the essential vehicle. Just like wine, blood is only a metaphor for the real expiating element – life. And this helps us realize that while unintentional defilement can be expiated by the symbolic substitution of the life (blood) of bulls and goats, expiation for intentional sin cannot be accomplished by the substitutionary death of animals. Thus, the author of Hebrews makes it clear that a different order of life-substitution must occur to remove the defilement of intentional disobedience, not because the practice of expiation for unintentional sin is no longer valid but because it was never effective for intentional sin in the first place.
Yeshua gives His life in order for us to be purified in the presence of YHWH. Blood is the symbol of this life-giving. Yeshua connects this symbol to Pesach where the blood (life given) was a sign for the angel of death to pass over the household. When we celebrate Passover, we are to think of His life sacrifice and realize that we have been cleansed and the consequences of our intentional disobedience have been removed. We live because He died.
Topical Index: kipper, pesach, blood, life, substitution, Leviticus 17:11, Matthew 26:28
In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and you shall not do any work … For on that day he shall provide atonement for you to cleanse you from all your sins before the L-RD. -Leviticus 16:29-30
Hi Skip,
It is not clear to me why we need Jesus to die, if we can atone for all our sins on Yom Kippur
Because Yom Kippur is a shadow of the reality of the atonement made in heaven, but the death of Yeshua on the cross is not about atonement for sin, so we must first clear up that confusion. Once we see that atonement for sin has been accomplished in heaven before the foundation of the world, then Yom Kippur is the annual reminder that God alone can finally forgive and in this sense the atonement of Yom Kippur reflects what has been finished, but what isn’t finished in the defeat of the CONSEQUENCES of sin – namely death.
“God alone can finally forgive sins”
Skip, these verses in the Bible that make me question that?
Whose soever sins you remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins you retain, they are retained.
John 20:23
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 16:14-15
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Jesus said unto him, I say not unto you, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Matthew 18:21-22
Maybe that’s where the expression, ‘It takes the Patience of a Saint’ comes from?
As I understand this, Paul makes it quite clear that it is the Spirit within all believers, that is to control our lives. Hence forgiveness comes by and through the Spirit. So, God does control forgiveness of sins, through the Spirit, which is God, in some sense, which I don’t currently really understand!! Praise the Lord that the river is wide and flowing. So much can be learned in questions. To never question is to live a “life” of non-existence. May the Shalom of the Creator bless all in this community.
Skip, by your belief that the atonement happened before the foundation of the world, you are entering into the fantasy world of the Greeks and not the concrete world of Hebrew thought.
Soil is soil. Breath is breath. Blood is blood. Flesh is flesh (and so on..)
God had a plan. The Logos (word, thought, idea) existed before the world came into being. Plan your work- work your plan. Think,- then do. This is how we (who are made in His likeness) roll.
I plan and prepare to go on a trip,- then I do. Thought precedes action- whether you are Hebrew or Swahili. If we are going to hunt water buffalo, (here in the Deep South we might say “I’m fixin’ to go huntin’!)- we think about all necessities, then we prepare accordingly, then we execute the plan and go hunt us some water buffalo and fetch us some dinner to feed our family.
God knew Adam would fail and planned accordingly. God knows the end from the beginning. Nothing (ever) has “occurred” to God. God never has an “aha” moment! His thoughts are NOT our thoughts- neither are His ways- our ways. Every hair on every head has been and is counted. Not only hairs, but blades of grass and flowers of the field. Are we starting to comprehend just how big God is? No. We (little finite creatures) never will. Phd, or working class citizen- except God reveal Himself- He will remain and unknown mystery.
The work of atonement, “the substance” of atonement happened in real time, upon a real cross and Yeshua HaMashiach, the Son of God and God the Son became (and is) a real man. A real carpenter working, living, eating, breathing – dying and suffering a real death- the death of a man.
Our work is to believe- and then to live accordingly. ~ For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep ~
Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach is the firstfruit. We are the one who will follow. Death has no more dominion or authority over us. Neither does the grave and neither does hasatan, the accuser of the brethren, – that great deceiver of Adam. We (now) serve the LORD Christ. We belong to the (always) Good Shepherd. We have been twice-born. Once through mom and dad and then again by the word of God and the spirit of God- the Ruach haKodesh.
So do we think abstractly or concretely? The answer is yes. It is both. But we must remember, our Savior, the LORD Jesus (who is the) Christ is a man, the Second Adam. The only perfect man ever to have lived. Listen to Him and do what He tells you.
~ At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want Me to give you.” ~ (1 Kings 3:5)
What if? What if you or I were asked (by God) this very same question: What is it that you want?
What (Solomon or Skip or Susan) is the desire of your heart? Ask, and I will give it unto you..
What would we ask for?
And now to “fast forward” several millenia later.. to this: “Ask and you will receive.. seek and you will find.. knock and it shall be opened (revealed) unto you.. His promise? ~ If you (sir or m’am) abide in Me and my words abide in you..- (does this sound familiar?) you shall ask what you will and it will be done for you.. ~
What did Solomon ask for? Was God pleased with his choice? May we ask (also) for the very same thing? (amazingly..) Yes. We may. Why? ~ If any of you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking ~ (James 1.5) Who may ask for wisdom? Any man. Any woman. Any of you who need wisdom. Now, – who wants wisdom and why?
What is the Source of wisdom? Commentaries on the Bible- or the scriptures?- the word of God- itself? God has spoken.
For the (commentaries about the) word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart? (Hebrews 4.12) Common taters are ten cents a dozen. Go to the Source. God has spoken and still speaks- through a Book He has given- the word(s) of God. ~ “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to Me! ~ (John 5.39) May I? for the sake of clarity..
But the Scriptures point to Me!
But the Scriptures point to Me!
The (written) word of God reveals the (living) Word of God, our LORD Jesus (who is the) Christ.
~ and beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded (explained) unto them in *all the scriptures* the things concerning Himself ~ (Luke 24.27)
Their response? ~ And they said one to another, Did not our hearts burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the scriptures? ~ (Luke 24.32)
What better commentator on the holy scriptures than the very Author Himself?
May I? May I be so bold as to ask, would He do this for us also? Would this be His will? Would this be what He desires for us also?
If I were to come to Him as a little child would come to his father and were to ask Him, “Father, would you also open Your book and reveal these things to me?” Would this request be pleasing to Him?
Good news! God is not out to hide Himself. He is the One who is (always) seeking and (always) speaking to us! Our seeking Shepherd. Our speaking Shepherd. Our Sovereign Shepherd. Our Saving Shepherd. ~ Blessed is the Name of our LORD! ~ Our risen-reigning-Righteous-ruling-Redeemer!
Yes. ~ God So loved.. ~ Better yet.. God So loves! (He never changes!) He is our Prodigal Father!
~ longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance ~ (2 Peter 3.9)
What happened, what occurred- when the errant son repented? (How to Make Heaven Happy).
~ But while he (me) was still a long way off, his Father saw him (me) and was filled with compassion for him; (me) He ran to His son, (me) threw His arms around him (me) and embraced him (me) and kissed Him. (me) ~
I will sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me.
How He left His home in glory
For the cross of Calvary.
Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.
I was lost, but Jesus found me,
Found the sheep that went astray,
Threw His loving arms around me,
Drew me back into His way.
I was bruised, but Jesus healed me,
Faint was I from many a fall,
Sight was gone, and fears possessed me,
But He freed me from them all.
Days of darkness still come o’er me,
Sorrow’s path I often tread,
But His presence still is with me;
By His guiding hand I’m led.
He will keep me till death’s river
Rolls its waters at my feet;
Then He’ll bear me safely over,
Where my loved ones I shall meet.
Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.
From a sinning son to a singing saint! Hallelujah! Jesus ransomed me!
How to Make Heaven Happy: ~ I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance ~ (Luke 15.7)
Ring the bells of Heaven! There is joy today,
For a soul, returning from the wild!
See the Father meets him out upon the way,
Welcoming His weary, wand’ring child.
Welcome home son!!
~ Bring the fattened calf and kill it! Let us eat and celebrate!!! ~
~ so the party began.. ~
Carl.,
Shalom, My Brother….I so love how you “turn a phrase”. It is a gift and a blessed one!!
And now comes the “however”, where thoughts sometimes part, though they need not too. I am trying to “lock” on to your core thinking, to best understand you. I am in agreement with you most of the time, but I sense, there is something beneath the water lurking, that I can’t see. We all have these, “hidden icebergs”, that we choose not to show. But that makes probing the human mind even more enjoyable.
I am a little puzzled over your implied thought that Skip may have “bumped” his head and acquired some sort of silly thought, that God must agree with him always. Can we agree, that none of us has it “nailed?” Can we also agree, that all human thought has a “history” and is shaped, molded and structured by other creatures, culture and institutions? Skip’s argument is technical, about what we term “atonement” and when this might have happened.
Paul told us to “test everything”. May I humbly suggest, that this implies our own personal paradigms, their sources, which normally is of course, “human” minds and all that implies.
This is called commentary. Commentary carries with it the thought, “this is what I think these words mean.” Most commentaries do not carry the honesty of this frightfully important thought, “then again I could be wrong”!! Oh that humanity could embrace that thought in everyday living.
Come from love and be your best!! Keep your pole in the water!! Jump in and take a swim from time to time!! Keep writing and keep engaged!!
Shalom
Hi Skip,
These issues have always been unclear and confusing to me, so maybe we can work through them
1. SKIP: Because Yom Kippur is a shadow of the reality of the atonement made in heaven
In Leviticus 4:1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Say to the Israelites: ‘When anyone sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD’s commands–
MIKE: WE SIN UNINTENTIONALLY is the take away here, it seems to me
In Leviticus 16:29-30 In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and you shall not do any work … For on that day he shall provide atonement for you to cleanse you from all your sins before the L-RD.
MIKE: At this point in history, it seems to me, God provides atonement through a priest
2. SKIP: but the death of Yeshua on the cross is not about atonement for sin
MIKE: To me it never made sense why a man would have to die for our sins, when God could forgive them without hime
3. SKIP: Once we see that atonement for sin has been accomplished in heaven before the foundation of the world
MIKE: The why is God talking to Moses about atonement for sin after the foundation of the world?
4.SKIP: then Yom Kippur is the annual reminder that God alone can finally forgive and in this sense the atonement of Yom Kippur reflects what has been finished,
MIKE: Where is the textual evidence for the above?
MIKE: In Judaism 101 it states: The name “Yom Kippur” means “Day of Atonement,” and that pretty much explains what the holiday is. It is a day set aside to “afflict the soul,” to atone for the sins of the past year.
5. SKIP: but what isn’t finished in the defeat of the CONSEQUENCES of sin – namely death.
MIKE: What is the meaning of death in the statement above?
MIKE: How does Jesus defeat the consequences of sin?
Thanks, Skip.
Your articulation of the truth is SO important for our understanding.
I’m sure I’m speaking for all of us here by saying how grateful we are
for your gift and your tenacity of using it so lovingly so!
Hi Rich,
Same appreciation from me. Skip opens up the various aspects of Scriptures to explore, that most times are lost as we often give them not much thought, or, not understanding the context it was written.
Shalom!
Fully human, Jesus needed sleep (Luke 8:23) food (Matthew 4:2; 21:18) He perspired (Luke 22:43-44) and bled (John 19:34).
He expressed emotions; joy (John 15:11) sorrow (Matthew 26:37) and anger (Mark 3:5).
He referred to Himself as a man (John 8:40), and after His resurrection His humanity was still recognized (Acts 2:22).
But the PURPOSE of the Incarnation was not to eat or to feel sorrow.
The Son of God came in the flesh in order to be the SAVIOUR of mankind.
It was necessary to be born “under the law” (Gal. 4:4).
All of us have failed miserably to fulfill God’s Law.
Christ came in the flesh, under the Law, to fulfill the Law on our behalf (Matt. 5:17; Gal. 4:5).
It was necessary for the Saviour to shed His blood for the forgiveness of sins (Heb. 9:22).
Can’t have a blood sacrifice without a body of flesh and blood.
This was God’s plan for the Incarnation: “When Christ came into the world, he said: ‘Sacrifice and offering [Old Covenant] you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me’” (Heb.10:5).
Without the Incarnation, Christ could not really die, and the cross would be meaningless.
But the cross and His blood and His incarnation and His salvation are NOT meaningless!
It is incredible that God would send His only begotten Son into the world to provide us with a salvation we do not deserve.
Praise the Lord for that moment in which “the Word became flesh.”
We are now redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect”
(1 Pet. 1:19).
In Jesus is life. All other paths lead to death (Acts 4:16; John 14:6).
This is serious. You better not miss it.
Do not be deceived into disregarding the blood shed for you.
Dear Skip,
Why did you leave out the word “new” while quoting Matthew 26:28?
Hmmmm. NASB doesn’t have the word “new” there, although the King James versions do.
Oops, sorry. I just saw that you were trying to address Skip directly.
It is interesting to me the Hebrew word for atonement has a homophone in the Noah story. The English text translates it as “pitch”; the tar like substance used to cover the ark inside and out. Without this, the closed-in box would leak, and the safety of the inhabitants would be seriously compromised. Certainly paramount to surviving a global flood would be the removal of anything that would defile safety and buoyancy.
I learned this quite a few years ago, too. I was glad to see you speak of it here.
Its remarkable how different our views end on the identical thing.
you say: “Certainly paramount to surviving a global flood would be the removal of anything that would defile safety and buoyancy”
I say: “What a beautifully graphic picture of the utmost necessity of the blood atonement. Without it nobody has the smallest chance of surviving the judgment whatsoever, we’d be sunk, and that quite rapidly!”
The word “new” is not in all translations.
It’s not in the NIV.
“This means that the Catholic idea of transubstantiation is completely wrong-headed”
I grew up in the Catholic cult (which claims that, “in matters of the church, the pope’s interpretations and rulings are above the Bible), tho I turned my head, my sight, my life (as far as I was in control) at about age 6 to God (in a linen closet hiding from continual domestic violence.) I was an irritant/embarrassment to my mother and probably some sort of abomination to my SERIOUSLY Catholic maternal Grandmother when, as I grew into my teen years, I challenged the priests with their man-made doctrine.
I THANK YOU so much for this post, Skip. The way I see it, transubstantiation is witchcraft and the worship of statues and the pope (to mention just a few “traditions”, rituals and requirements) is paganism.
Roman Catholics point most frequently to John 6:32-58 and especially vs. 53-57, “Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life … For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him … so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.’”
Catholics interpret this passage literally and apply its message to the Lord’s Supper, which they call Eucharist or Mass.
Those who reject the idea of transubstantiation (me, you, others) interpret Jesus’ words in John 6:53-57 symbolically.
So how can we know for certain which interpretation is correct? Scripture declares itself.
Truly, Jesus made it obvious what He meant. John 6:63 declares, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.”
Jesus specifically stated that His words are “spirit.”
He was using physical concepts, ie: eating and drinking, to teach spiritual truth.
Just as consuming physical food and drink sustains our physical bodies, so are our spiritual lives saved and built up by spiritually receiving Him, by grace through faith.
We must fully and completely receive Him in our lives.
The Lord’s Supper is a memorial to the body and blood of Christ (Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:24-25), not the actual consumption of His physical body and blood.
Skip,
This lovely post from you reminded me of David in Psalm 51 with his poignant allusions to his need of God’s cleansings:
“WASH me thoroughly from my iniquity, and CLEANSE me from my sin.” (Verse 2) NRSV
“PURGE me with hyssop, and I shall BE CLEAN; WASH ME and I shall be whiter than snow.” (verse 7) NRSV
Dear SKIP,
My question remains because I am asking you.
Sincerely,
Sharon
The Nestle-Aland Greek text does not have the Greek word word for “new” in Mt 26:28. It is added in English.
28 τοῦτο (this) γάρ (for) ἐστιν (to be is) τὸ (the) αἷμά (blood) ⸀μου (my) ⸀τῆς (of the) διαθήκης (covenant) τὸ περὶ (for) πολλῶν (many) ἐκχυννόμενον (which is poured out) εἰς (for) ἄφεσιν (the forgiveness,pardon) ἁμαρτιῶν (of sins).
W. Hall Harris, III, The Lexham Greek-English Interlinear New Testament: SBL Edition (Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2010). Mt 26:28.
“new” is added, but it is not in the Greek text.
Not trying to answer for Skip, but just, there it is, in the Greek. Or isn’t in the Greek.
Skip did not leave it out Sharon. He just quoted the NASB which uses the critical Greek text of Nestle-Aland.
There are a few textual variants in the manuscripts underlying the Greek text of NA. It depends on ones view on which manuscript has more weight etc whether you include the word for new [kaines] or not.
Sharon, you will like Luke’s description better (Lu.22:20).
We love the New, and it definitely is a NEW Covenant, and you will love this:
http://topicalbible.org/dbt/1352.htm
PRAISE to the One Who gave us His Son!
Yes, Dorothy, “καινη” (new) is in the Luke 22:20 N-A text, not in the Matt. 26:28 text.
Thank you for your comments and help. Dorothy, your words sounded so good this morning, thanks!
Hmmm
Noticing all the comments about Catholicism, I would tend to want to side with Catholicism against Protestantism
As an evolution of Judaism that tries to combine Judaism with the worship of Jesus as the Son of God
In Catholicism we find the rabbinical ideology of the Talmud taught by Jews who had apparently become priests
It seems to me that it would have taken a very long time for a gentile to learn this alien academic knowledge
I’m wondering if the Jewish students of Paul would have been the likely candidates for the Roman Catholic leadership
And then, much later, we have the antisemitic Martin Luther, with his preference of “faith over works” (the Laws)
And a new set of laws that support Protestantism and the rise of Capitalism (see Max Weber)
Sharon, you left a ‘cup of cold water’ for me!
Normally I do not go back to see new added comments, — can’t say why I did today,
but I thank our Father.
How often I have delayed leaving the house a minute, or turned a corner I normally didn’t,
or last second did something a bit different, and it turned into being a blessing in some way.
Its almost like God hides little gifts for us. God is Sweetness enthroned!
YHWH speaks in Ezekiel 18:21 But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live.” Why did YHWH not warn us that there is something more we have to do one day, i.e. look for a Redeemer who will wipe away the defilement of our intentional sins? Only repentance before God will cleanse us from the defilement – nothing else. Otherwise it makes YHWH a liar in Ezekiel 18:21.
The Redeemer has been expected from the beginning.
How could He be expected unless God had spoken to tell of such a thing.
Nobody could ever dream up that that God would empty Himself and step down into His creation.
It was prophesied that this Messiah would bring GRACE to mankind, forgiveness for their sins — and sacrifice Himself completely for their sins!
When David, with repentance acknowledges, ‘I have sinned’, he is immediately assured of his pardon: “The Lord has taken away thy sin, thou shalt not die. 2 Sam. 12:13
Here is a fairly through explanation of how Jesus is visible all through the O.T. http://home.sprynet.com/~pabco/gospelot.htm
Once again we are back in the discussion of paradigms. We see what we look for. If your paradigm includes the idea of a personal Messiah who redeems the world (as per Christian doctrine), then you will find evidence of this everywhere you look. But if your paradigm does not include this idea but rather that God Himself provides forgiveness through His mercy, then you will read the “prophecies” a different way. You cannot avoid the paradigm issue by simply citing the texts. It’s time to deal with the DOCTRINES that inform the texts, not the other way around.
I prefer to look at things in context first, then spiritualize the text after. Not the other way around. My basis is not Christian doctrine (could include man’s errors) but the text itself. From there it should speak to me on different levels of interpretation.
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” Acts 2:42
Doctrine comes from feasting on the Word daily and letting God open our hearts to understanding it. He meets us in His Word, — of which He is the Author, Preacher, and Subject; the substance of which is peace, pardon, righteousness, and salvation by Him.
I am continually amazed that people are not overcome by His great love!
O how He loves you! O how He loves me! O how He loves each one!
O Lion of the Tribe of Judah, O Son of David, O Eternal Saviour, I love YOU, too!
O Blessed Well of Love! O Flower of Grace!
O glorious Bright Morning Star! O Lamp of Light!
Most lively Image of Thy Father’s face,
Eternal King of Glory, Lord of Might,
Meek Lamb of God, before all worlds behight,
How can we Thee requite for all Your Good?
Or who can prize that Thy most precious blood?
Yes, let us examine the texts- and closely! Let us (all) study the scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life- AND THESE ARE THEY THAT TESTIFY OF ME.
Not one part of the Bible has been disproved, either in the Old Testament or in the New. The sixty-six oracles of the Bible outlive all the critics, and in the words of Paul to the Philippian jailer, they say to their most hostile critic today, “Do thyself no harm, for we are all here” (Acts 16.28) – J.S.B.
I wonder if any among us might be blind in one eye and still refuse to see out of the other.
The Christian doctrine indeed.. REally? Christ, Christ and more Christ. -It is not about us little ones!
Yes, it is about our paradigm and you WILL find what you are looking for! And (just the facts) God has promised (oh?)- “you will seek for ME and you will find ME if YOU look for ME with ALL your heart.”
Find what? NO. Find… “WHO” The scriptures do not testify about a what- they testify, they ALL bear witness of a WHO.
Shall we examine ALL scriptures once again- every jot and every tittle- and every wit.
Read the book of Luke chapter 24 and starting with verse 13 thru 27. No, let us rather begin with verse 25. Listen again (and again and again) to this word from the Word:
“Christian” doctrine? (not one additional word from me is necessary) -Say, whose words are these anyway?
Luke 24:25 ~ And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?”27 Then beginning with Moses and with ALL (ALL) the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in ALL (ALL) the Scriptures ~
What more can He say than to you He has said?
This Book- God’s Book- from the beginning- from Genesis 1.1 – All of this Book and all of His words are the story – HiStory – a story of infinite Love and Compassion and Grace and Mercy- a story- HiStory- of our Redeemer- a Savior- the Sent One- a Story -HiStory revealed through unnumbered names- dates-places-parables-prophecies-people. This is the story of one Man, for this Book – God’s Book- is God’s revelation or unfolding of a plan, an idea- a purpose- His perfect will to redeem-restore-renew-rebuild what the first Adam lost to the Deceiver our adversary and accuser.
Paradigms? If this is the preferred term-so be it. You will find what you are looking for- God guarantees it. You will seek for Me and you will find Me if you seek for ME with ALL your heart.
But don’t look for a “what,” or even a “how.” Look for a “WHO”. And when you find HIM- everything else will fall into it’s proper place and perspective. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things (other things) will be added unto you!”
And I almost forgot three marvelously wonderful words- Words which I pray will be burned into my flesh and tattooed upon my mind- (Are you listening?..)
“It is written..” Oh, how I love those three comforting words. I feel the hilt of a sword in my hand. But it is not my sword- No. This sword- is the sword of the LORD and of Gideon. This sword is a two-edged sword- so it cuts both ways! I must be very judicious and cautious how it will be used. It is not a club, but more akin to a surgeon’s scalpel- for this sword will penetrate even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; and it will judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart ~
Can you feel the heart beating in this Book? For this Book- God’s Book- His Book of Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth- is a living and breathing Book. A Book like no other- for this Book will speak directly to the heart of “any man” who will listen. It will speak to “any man” who will “shema.”
~ All we like sheep have gone astray- we have turned every one to his own way.. ~
Isaiah, – how did you know? How could you possibly have been so accurate and so precise as to write these words centuries-even millennia- before any of us drew our first breath? Oh, how this describes us to a “T.” We are (all) wandering sheep in desperate need of a Shepherd. A compassionate and kind and caring Shepherd- One who will go and find that one sheep who has wandered away from Your green pastures and still waters.
Good Shepherd, would You restore me? As the Good Samaritan, would You bind up my wounds also- and as one who has been beaten,broken and bruised, one who is weak and weary and in great need of restoration and renewal would You deliver me from evil that it may not grieve me? Would You heal me completely- body-soul and spirit? Would You restore the joy of your salvation to me, and provide me with a spirit of willing obedience?
Because of Your own words, “ask, and you will receive..” – and because Calvary made this very prayer possible- and because of You have invited any man to pray- these petitions I bring to You and would ask that in all these things- what is pleasing to You, my Father- Your perfect will be done in this man’s life, according to Your enduring mercies, Your covenant Love and Your everlasting words.
And in the midst of all these things, -may Jesus Christ be praised!!
Amen.