Shameful Christianity (Part 2)

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We will only look at certain aspects of the Day of Atonement, not forgetting the fact that there are several other rituals we shall disregard for the moment. It was required of the whole nation to accept the realities of sin and the loss it brings, offering sacrifices to secure God's mercy. The High Priest was to kill one of two goats and approach the Most Holy Place, sprinkling the blood on the Mercy Seat (the cover of the Ark of the Covenant).

Wait a minute! How would killing an animal equate to forgiveness from God? I wonder if the Israelites ever asked themselves this. A dead animal appeasing the Lord God, Who is Eternal Spirit? An angry God retreating at the mere sight of animal blood? To my mind, there arises no plausible explanation in a literal sense. However, an understanding is clearly seen in figurative and symbolic language. Those of the Old Testament men of faith, who did ponder this question, soon arrived at a conclusion.

Sick of the vileness within himself after murdering an innocent man, David sang thus in the famous Psalm 51:

“You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51:16-17; See also Psalm 40:6)

The singer saw the harsh reality that many a sacrifice had been offered and many a lamb slain, without any true remorse or afterthought on the part of the worshiper. The sinner had repeatedly stifled the grim questions that presented themselves at the gruesome sight – Where did that sin come from? Could this mean that there is evil within me? Do I conveniently kill an animal each time I sin? Is this dead animal, the true price to restore my fellowship with the Lord? If so, then why is the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle with the Shekhinah of God, still veiled from my sight?
If an animal was the true price of his sin, sings the Psalmist, he would gladly give it. He understood that God was looking at the heart of the worshipper, and not merely at his act of worship. The head-banging, heart-rending, feet-thumping 21st century worship, seems to repeat history, as we have clearly failed to learn from the mistakes of the past. David has an implicit question to ask of us, as we claim the salvation through Jesus Christ and stand in God's Presence: What's on your mind when you worship?

I've been amazed at the fact that Sunday is the most vital day of the week, and yet we zoom through with no questions asked. This is probably why God remains a visiting professor who comes to stir our conscience twice a year - at Christmas and Easter. And now, we don't even want Him there because Santa Claus and the gift list, are more important.
As I watched the flurry of activity around me at Christmas time, whether online or in the media, I was surprised that Jesus Christ found little or no mention. After all, if the Lord stood in the way of a 'Merry Christmas', away with Him - we're perfectly joyful without His help, aren't we?

Furthermore, it was the same David who went on to pen the prophetic Psalm 65 wherein he pointed to God's ultimate intentions, inspired by the Holy Spirit:

“Iniquities prevail against me;
As for our transgressions,
You will provide atonement for them.” (Psalm 65:3)

David understood that the prevalent system of sacrifices of that time, was only a pointer to the 'Sacrifice of all sacrifices' that was to happen later in history, by God's epochal intervention in the affairs of man. More importantly, we must understand that such lofty themes did not drop from the sky on a rainy day. These words had so much to do with the daily realities and inner hungers that David faced. David found it so necessary to know God's mind behind the veil - there was a seeking and hence, there was a finding. How different from us!

Probably, the clearest indication of the coming sacrifice was recorded by Isaiah in his prophecy of the Messianic Passion (chapter 53).
“...it was the LORD's will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes His life a guilt offering,
He will see His offspring and prolong His days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in His hand.

After the suffering of His soul,
He will see the light of life and be satisfied;

by His knowledge my Righteous Servant will justify many,
and He will bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will give Him a portion among the great,
and He will divide the spoils with the strong,
because He poured out His life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.

For He bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:10-12)

Jesus Christ has been the topic of debate around the world. Some claim to have seen Him in Kashmir, having come to learn from the Brahmanas and the Buddhists. Others believe He was a true communist, 'with a religious twist'. Others, such as Dan Brown, declare knowledge of Jesus' progeny carrying on His name in various parts of Europe. Deepak Chopra claims that He came as a spirit guide to lead us into 'God-consciousness' irrespective of our religious background. Still others say that He was an inspirational teacher and politician, who was killed by His jealous enemies.

Whatever the argument may be, it will help us to remember that Jesus did not come to fit into your opinion or mine; rather, He came to validate that unique plan that had already been sketched, years prior to His birth, in the pages of Israelite history by the Old Testament prophets. Again, it was not a blueprint prepared out-of-the-blue, on a spur-of-the-moment decision that conjured up a supporting rationale in the aftermath. Instead, it was the Divine wisdom of Eternal God and the poverty of man that lent a backdrop for the entrance of the greatest individual history has ever seen – the 'God-man' Jesus Christ.

(To be continued...)

Shameful Christianity (Part 1)

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...)