Inspired by Blood
There's a curious statement in Hebrews ch.12 v.24 - we are told that Jesus is the mediator of a New Covenant - that we are familiar enough with. An agreement that God's dwelling place would be within mankind through the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit transforming and empowering each of us.
But the verse talks of sprinkling - a reference to the temple pratices - for now we are all inducted into a royal priesthood through new birth, and set apart - made holy - consecrated by the covering of blood.
Yes, it's brutal. Yes, it's awful to imagine - that was the point. Sin was not nice and neat and tidy and civilised. Stark imagery like this was used to wrestle our minds into true reality, and not into a sanitizedd series of excuses and situational ethics. Sacrifice is not pleasant because sin is not an abstract concept, divorced from reality. It is a rebellious cancer that needs to be excised from our consciousness.
When we undergo surgery or even a visit to the dentist there is pain, blood, loss - but it is necessary for life and freedom from further hurt. The choice is ours.
The blood of animals acted as a temporary remedy - but more importantly as a bold reminder that there was one who would come and deal once for all with the hurt, the sickness, the rebellion, the slaughter.
It would not be nice. It would not be civil and pleasant. It would be stark, brutal and messy. But it would then be over!
That was why the prophets of old looked forward to Jesus' coming. They culd see the victory over mankind's flailing brutality. They could see the defeat of sin, sickness and death. They could see an end to all the ugliness that haunts the human psyche through that one death.
For while Abel's blood, shed by his own brother in murderous jealousy, clled out for vengeance and judgement. The blood of Jesus, spilled by us all as the culmination of our rejection of Him, the only solution to our ills; that bood calls out for mercy, forgiveness, a new beginning.
That is why we accept that spiritual sprinkling of blood, saturating our hearts. That we too would exibit the new start promised in all areas of our lives.
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inspirational bible verses
But the verse talks of sprinkling - a reference to the temple pratices - for now we are all inducted into a royal priesthood through new birth, and set apart - made holy - consecrated by the covering of blood.
Yes, it's brutal. Yes, it's awful to imagine - that was the point. Sin was not nice and neat and tidy and civilised. Stark imagery like this was used to wrestle our minds into true reality, and not into a sanitizedd series of excuses and situational ethics. Sacrifice is not pleasant because sin is not an abstract concept, divorced from reality. It is a rebellious cancer that needs to be excised from our consciousness.
When we undergo surgery or even a visit to the dentist there is pain, blood, loss - but it is necessary for life and freedom from further hurt. The choice is ours.
The blood of animals acted as a temporary remedy - but more importantly as a bold reminder that there was one who would come and deal once for all with the hurt, the sickness, the rebellion, the slaughter.
It would not be nice. It would not be civil and pleasant. It would be stark, brutal and messy. But it would then be over!
That was why the prophets of old looked forward to Jesus' coming. They culd see the victory over mankind's flailing brutality. They could see the defeat of sin, sickness and death. They could see an end to all the ugliness that haunts the human psyche through that one death.
For while Abel's blood, shed by his own brother in murderous jealousy, clled out for vengeance and judgement. The blood of Jesus, spilled by us all as the culmination of our rejection of Him, the only solution to our ills; that bood calls out for mercy, forgiveness, a new beginning.
That is why we accept that spiritual sprinkling of blood, saturating our hearts. That we too would exibit the new start promised in all areas of our lives.
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inspirational bible verses
posted by
Exousia at 2:32 PM
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