Life of Christ THe Mechanics
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How it Works
How it Works
We have discussed the man, the message, the motive, and the method of His mission, today we address the mechanics of the mission
But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—
Who owe their birth neither to bloods nor to the will of the flesh [that of physical impulse] nor to the will of man [that of a natural father], but to God. [They are born of God!]
We know that the whole story is about the redemption of man through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus!
by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.
Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.
But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;
who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.
Do you see it? His sacrifice was more than enough to be eternal since He Himself is eternal! Look at the word “Save”. It is the Greek word Sodzo meaning “to make safe, sound and secure; to deliver from a direct threat; to bring safe and sound through a dangerous situation!”
WOW! Death was looming large over man but He has conquered the grave!
Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,
and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
We see that the tabernacle was a picture of what was to come! The horrible reminder of the penalty of sin, death, and the reality that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin!
When the priest entered the Holy of Holies he did so by the offering of blood for his sins and the sins of the people yearly. This was symbolic of the reality that the way into the presence of God was through the blood!
But this was a temporal thing because man himself was mortal and needing forgiveness.
But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.
Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh,
how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
The sacrifice of the OT was an outward cover while the sacrifice of Christ was an inward change!
Remember that the practice of the old covenant was about outward appearance. The religious of the day prided themselves on the outward display but never dealt with the inward condition!
So it is today! Pride is generally the reason man refuses to acknowledge he is a sinner! But,
But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—
Who owe their birth neither to bloods nor to the will of the flesh [that of physical impulse] nor to the will of man [that of a natural father], but to God. [They are born of God!]
The word receive here is the word meaning to “collect that which one has claim to; an award from a court hearing! “to collect the revenues from an investment!”
So what is investment that we are asked to make in order to receive the award? Our lives
Before the cross we did not realize that we were already “dead” in our sin!
You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.
Notice that the verse reminds us of this fact! We were dying here, but now we were given a chance to live!
I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Born again isn’t a title or name, it is a condition of a regenerated soul!
It is the ability to Operate under a new system of love and grace!
“FOR HE GAVE US AUTHORITY!”
The word “authority” is the word xhousa meaning “to have a state of control over something; having a freedom of choice to do as one wills”
Jesus said
No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life.
We did not have a choice before the cross! We were trapped in our sin with no way out but the Blood of the Lamb applied to the bond of our sin has set us free!
Don’t be deceived! It will cost you to qualify!
And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.
The way is hard!
Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.”
But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
The word “farewell” here is the word meaning “To take leave of; to renounce or give up”
The focus isn’t on the exchange, it on the desire to have the exchange!
But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
Remeber Isa 61:3
To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
The experience is indescribable, uncontainable, eternal and fulfilling!
What about you today?
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.