April 16, 2012

Yesterday was a great day of worship and service in the Wesley faith community. There were four strong worship services, including the baptism of 3 children in the gym, and the receiving of 19 confirmands in the sanctuary. We had a great 4 pm coffee with the pastors, except that no one showed up other than the pastors and those who were hosting the coffee! We must rethink this approach. At 6 I led my college-age life group and we had a delicious meal and great discussion on the topic of Rescue, part 5 of “Change the World”. Today I will enjoy a restful day that will include a round of golf, and some work in the yard and garden.

Hebrews 9

The blood of Christ and the new covenant is better than the blood of bulls and goats of the old covenant. Christ’s work is superior to the work of the high priests who annually entered the holy of holies in the tabernacle (and then the temple) with blood not their own to cover their sins and the sins of the people. “For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;” (Verse 24) This continues the theme of Hebrews that Christ is superior to the Old Covenant, the Jewish ceremonies, rituals, and temple - all of which were a foreshadowing of things to come.

“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. (27-28) Lord, I eagerly await your second appearance, and I fully realize that it is appointed to me once to die, and after that the judgment. I am preparing for Your “final inspection” in the metaphor of Peterson (I Cor 3:5-10). May I build today with gold, silver and precious stones. Use me fully in your service. Thank you for this beautiful, clear, cool April Monday.