WHERE WE ARE COME

'For you have not come to a mountain that may be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word should be spoken to them. For they could not bear the command, "If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned." And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, "I am full of fear and trembling." But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel" (Hebrews 12:18-24, NASB )

Devotion 12 of 13

THE SPRINKLED BLOOD THAT SPEAKS BETTER THINGS

How precious the blood of sprinkling to which "we ARE come" It is "the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." Effective beyond imagination, it has "redeemed" us "from the empty way of life handed down . . . from" our "forefathers" (1 Pet 1:18-19). We are no longer enslaved to vanity, but can live spiritually productive and satisfying lives! This is the "blood of sprinkling." That speaks of sanctification, or setting apart and dedication to the Living God. The concept of sprinkled blood was developed under the First, or Old Covenant--the Law. When the Law was given at Sinai, Moses "sprinkled" the blood of "burnt offerings" and "peace offerings" on the altar and the people. In this activity, the service and people of God were dedicated to Him--set apart from the world.

Sprinkled blood in typology

Throughout the dispensation of the Law, "guilt" or "trespass" offerings were made. The blood of those offerings was "sprinkled against the altar on all sides" (Lev 7:2. NIV). When the priests were dedicated, blood was placed upon the lobe of their right ear, the thumb of their right hand, and the big toe of their right foot. This signified their primary activity would be hearing the Lord, working for the Lord, and living in His presence. Following their dedication, the blood of the "ram of consecration" was "sprinkled against the altar on all sides" (Lev 8:22-24). Thus, were the priests dedicated to the work of the Lord; set apart for divine service. When making atonement for himself and the sins of the people, the high priest placed the blood of the sin offering upon the horns of the altar, then poured it out at the foot of the altar (Lev 9:5-8). Thus God's servant became acutely aware that Divine acceptance could only be realized through the forfeiture of the life of an innocent victim. All of these ceremonies were but mirrors of the greater sacrifice of Christ. "The blood of Christ" is the exclusive "blood of sprinkling" in this "day of salvation." This is the blood in which we participate, or commune (1 Cor 10:16). It is the appointed means by which we "are made nigh" (Eph 2:13). We "enter the holiest" by "the blood of Jesus," coming into the very presence of the Almighty (Heb 10:19). Praise God, it is "the blood of Jesus Christ," God's "Son," that "cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). But, our text is very focused--let us look at it again.

Sprinkled blood

"We ARE come" to "the blood of sprinkling" in particular. This is speaking of Christ's blood in its dedicatory aspects. The idea is that we are at liberty to come to the Lord to find mercy, and appropriate grace to help "in the time of need" (Heb 4:16). The Word of God speaks precisely on this matter. "Since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water" (Heb 10:21-22). This speaks of our persuasion of Divine acceptance. The blood of Christ, or more precisely, an acceptance of it, purifies the defiled conscience. Thus, we approach to God without being overwhelmed with guilt. We are more persuaded of the effectuality of Christ's vicarious sacrifice than of our own sinfulness. Make no mistake about this; we do not gloss our sin. We do not pretend it never occurred, or minimize its enormity. However, our faith has convinced us that Jesus has settled the matter with God, and that our faith makes us pleasing to the One we had offended! Now we serve the Lord with gladness of heart, knowing we are "accepted in the Beloved" (Eph 1:6). How wonderfully this is stated in Hebrews 9:14; "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" (NIV).

The blood of Abel

Our text states "we ARE come" to sprinkled blood that "speaks better things than that of Abel." What kind of message did the blood of Abel communicate? The Spirit speaks expressly on this point. God Himself confronted Abel's own brother, Cain, who murdered him. The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth" (Gen 4:10-12, NIV). Abel's blood cried out cursing! There was no forgiveness, only cursing! No acceptance, only rejection! No appeals to return, only being driven "from the ground." The very man that tilled the soil (Gen 4:2), now found the ground rebelling against him. It would not yield produce to him. His brother's blood cried out AGAINST him!

A cry that is not against us!

But Christ's blood does not cry out against us! "We ARE come" to the "blood of sprinkling that speaks BETTER things." It cries out forgiveness and acceptance! It cries out remission and atonement. It declares a "satisfied" God and justification. No person can think upon the blood of Christ, and believe, without becoming convinced God will receive him! How glorious the prospects of those having "faith in His blood" (Rom 3:25). Their sordid past has been removed. They have been cleansed from guilt. They now have access to "the throne of all grace." That blood still obtains forgiveness for them and "cleanses them from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). They are "now justified" by that blood (Rom 5:9, and shall be "saved from wrath through Him" (Rom 5:9). We presently "have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph 1:7; Col 1:14). Are these not "better things" than spoken by the blood of Abel? This is the blood to which "we ARE come." PRAYER POINT: Father, I praise your holy Name for the blood of Christ. I confess it has, indeed, purged my conscience from the dead works to which I was enslaved. I acknowledge before You and the elect angels, that Christ's blood is precious to me. In the name of Christ, I thank You for providing a way for me to come before You washed from all sinful stain.

-- TOMORROW: CONCLUSION TO SERIES -- -- MONDAY: New series, JESUS CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN! --