WE HAVE AN ALTAR!

The people of God are blessed with a degree of participation never known before the glorification of Christ Jesus. In salvation, we become capable of imbibing the Divine Nature--a requisite to eternal life.

"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come." (Heb 13:9-14).

Devotion 10 of 12

PREPARATION FOR WHAT WAS TO COME

An awareness of the sacrificial system under the Old Covenant is necessary for a good understanding of God's great salvation. That order was reflective of the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. The Levitical ceremonies were given by God to introduce the salvation to be brought by Christ Jesus.

The holy of holies within the tabernacle was a type of the heavenly sanctuary in which Jesus now ministers (Heb 9:1-12). The High Priest introduced men to an intercessory office to be fulfilled by the Son of God (Heb 8:1-3). The sacrifices disclosed the principle of vicarious, or substitutionary, atonement (Heb 10:1-10). The blood of bulls and goats typified the blood of Christ, that cleanses from sin (Heb 10:3-4).

Think of the concepts introduced under the Law--concepts that must be grasped to a measurable extent if salvation is to bring eternal advantage to the believer. Sacrifice, redemption, intercession, washing or cleansing, pleasing fragrance, etc. All of these things, introduced in the Levitical law, were, by Divine design types and shadows of what was to come.

Under the Law, the sin offering was burned outside the camp. The meat was not to be eaten by the priests (Ex 29:14; Lev 4:12,21; 8:17; 9:11; 16:27). This is the practice to which the Spirit refers in our text. "For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Hence, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach" (Heb 13:11-12, NIV). Here was a picture of sin being taken out of the congregation--away from the people. Yet, the High Priest himself could not partake of the benefit. He could not eat the sacrifice! That remained to be experienced by those in the New and better Covenant!

Right here we see one of the chief difficulties with a Law-system--even the God-ordained Law-system. Sin could only be dealt with in a typical, or foreshadowing, manner, not experientially. The blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin (Heb 10:4). Furthermore, those sacrifices did not please the Lord, i.e., they did not meet His objective (Heb 10:6-8). What is more, the sacrifice for sin was completely consumed by fire, not by the priests! The Law, with all of its exacting procedures, could not take away sin, bring men to God, or give them eternal life.

Our affiliation with God is not through a liturgy, routine, or religious procedure. Such approaches existed under the Law, but were only typical of a better covenant, established upon better promises (Heb 8:6). Now, faith accomplishes that routine could only introduce.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I praise You through Jesus Christ for the privilege of enjoying the substance of Your salvation.

-- Tomorrow: AN ANCHOR FOR THE SOUL --