Reference Passage:
Hebrews 13:10-14 (NIV)
We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.
The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp.
And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.
Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.
For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In a world that wants to see life only in rainbow colours, the words that serve as our reference text might appear gloomy and depressing. I wonder what effect they had on you as you read them. Isn't it strange that there are passages in the Scriptures that we shy away from? Take a look at Christian homes and you'll understand what I mean. You'll find placards of varying sizes that cite verses of promise, hope and faith adorning the walls. However, I'm yet to see one carrying this beautiful passage from the book of Hebrews.
Personally, to me, these are verses that carry a Christian's statement of purpose and mission in life.
Like a master painter, the author captures the struggle between two essentially different lifestyles, with a few strokes of his pen. To get a clearer picture of the passage, one must first connect to the author's line of thought. For this, we must travel backwards in history, to the time of the Tabernacle – the ancient age of Moses, the Israelites and the Mosaic Law. We must investigate the mysterious rituals of their worship to unravel the threads of meaning that underlie our text. In fact, the study of the Jews, their history and culture is a fascinating adventure in itself. Think of this: did you know that an orthodox Jew would spell “G-O-D” as “G- -D”? You read it right, they omit the 'O' on purpose! I'll leave it to you, to find out why.
Yom Kippur is probably the most sacred holiday of the Jewish people. People who give no regard to any other holiday, are still highly likely to turn up for synagogue services on this day. The Old Testament gives the name 'Day of Atonement' which is what Yom Kippur literally means. The rules for the Day are laid down in the book of Leviticus chapter 16. Though there are traditional variations in specific details, many interesting aspects are consensually held as valid in the observances of this day.
Sin has been mankind's ubiquitous problem all the way from Eden's Garden and the people of Israel were no different.
Have you wondered as to why this nation became so important to the pages of the Bible, like no other? Coming to think of it, there remains a unique aura around its affairs to this day – be it military might, economic capability or intellectual capacity. True or not, there is a widespread feeling that the Israelis possess much more than they tell and the shroud of mystery only adds to the gossip. Before we get carried away in awe and praise, let's look at God's rationale in elevating Israel to prominence. Moses says in Deuteronomy 9:5-6: “It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the LORD your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.”
In short, it was no merit of their own, that made these people special. Rather it was God's grace and faithfulness to His promises that made all this possible. Even then, this isn't by any means a denial of their uniqueness – no other nation d had the privilege to discover God and receive His revelation directly, as did Israel. However, the bottom line is, even this “peculiar people” had to struggle with the reality of sin in their lives.
It was for this reason that an elaborate system of sacrifices was unveiled. In fact, does not the very existence of a priest, to stand on man's behalf before God, make it obvious that there is something that separates God and man in such a way that direct contact is not easily possible? Think further on this: the very word 'sacrifice' means “The act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform.” Two realities emerge from this: firstly, there is a mistake involved. Secondly, there is a surrender or loss involved.
Did you know that we are reluctant to accept either of these, when we approach God in worship? The classic example of the Pharisee and the Tax-collector (seen in Luke chapter 18 verses 9 to 14) is highly relevant to the modern 'worship circus' age where performers direct worship and applause to themselves. It is so easy to forget, as did the Pharisee, that every mistake, big or small, sits naked before God's eyes (Psalm 90:8). The consequence inevitably follows: ignore sin and we eventually disregard the loss that it brings. This becomes the first step in weaving a web of self-deception that gradually makes it unnecessary for God to certify worship. Hence, many of us return home every Sunday, satisfied that God has heard our prayer, when in reality, we may have actually missed the mark.
(To be continued...)
