We are all taught that certain places where we show up demand some kind of proper etiquette in our behavior.
Patty and I had the amazing opportunity over 20 years ago, to be tourist in Rome. Of course, we visited as many of the classic historical sites as possible… the Roman Colosseum, The Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, St Peters Basilica… But I looked forward the most to spend time at the Sistine Chapel. The room is surprisingly smaller than I imagined, but the huge frescoes painted by Michaelangelo 1482 are stunning. He painted depictions of biblical stories of Creation, the life of Moses, the life of Christ, as well as spiritual battles in this world. The most overwhelming for me personally was the fresco of the final judgement. I couldn’t get enough of it. The protocol for our behavior was absolutely clear though. We were ushered and told we must behave otherwise we would be immediately ushered OUT! No hats. No chewing gum. No eating. Don’t make noise. Don’t talk, Don’t take pictures! And don’t stay too long (because the next group was coming soon after you)! For me personally, it was not just an interesting historical tourist stop, but a bit of a sacred place, that depicted a sacred story. I will say the guards on duty certainly treated it that way.
We don’t think much in our world about ‘Sacred Places’ do we? We all know that in a library we are supposed to keep our voices down. We all kind of know that in a cemetery we somehow don’t ‘let loose’ with noise out of respect for the dead. But honestly, in our modern world, we don’t understand the sacred places very much. We fill our sites with graffiti and the world for us is just a giant football game to make as much noise as we want.
This coming Sunday we are continuing in our journey of Knowing God, and our specific study in the book of Hebrews. This calls for us to grasp the God’s sacred place and God’s sacred appointed person who takes us to this sacred place. The focus of our teaching this Sunday is Hebrews 4:14-16. Our larger section of study I am asking you to read ahead is Hebrews 4:14 – 6:12.
Do you remember the helpful pattern of how to learn the book of Hebrews? Look for this pattern as you read this section of Hebrews before you arrive Sunday…
- The Theological Lineage
- How Jesus is Superior
- Warnings and Encouragements once we know this
The Theological Lineage that is taught in this letter to the Hebrews is that of the High Priest and the Holy of Holies. The High Priest is a person who goes to God for us. The ‘Holy of Holies’ is the most sacred of all places.
Hebrews 4:14-16Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,[f] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Again, read ahead before this Sunday: Hebrews 4:14 – 6:12
Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest. Jesus Christ allows us to come into the Throne Room of God by His grace. This is who Jesus is and what He can do for you.
By the way, Easter is coming! Sunday April 9th. This study is leading us up to what Christ has truly done for us. Be praying now about who you would like to invite to join us for worship at Easter.
I am excited to see you this coming Sunday morning.
