Are you in favor of the Death Penalty? Is there any crime that is worthy of a Death Sentence?
This question might be challenging for you. Here are three somewhat typical answers:
- For some your answer is… “Absolutely yes!” This is how we control crime and offenses in our society.
- For some of you your answer would be… “Never! It is inhuman in every way, and there are far better and more humane ways to bring about justice!”
- For some of you your answer would be… “It Depends! This difficult question that is not answered so easily, but it also just depends on the severity of the crime that was committed and who the crime was committed against!”
I am not about to try to answer this question right here for our legal system and for our society, but this is essentially the major issue and question that needs to be addressed when we dig deeper into our Bible in Hebrews chapters 9 & 10. I cannot give you the full answer to our legal questions, but there is NO DOUBT about the theology of the crime we commit against God, and the punishment that awaits us. BUT the Good News is that there is substitution that is offered for our crimes before the Holy God.
Let me give you three verses in Hebrews 9 to chew on this week:
- Hebrews 9:12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.
- 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!
- Hebrews 9:22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Wow… that verse is heavy! Did you catch that?
No matter what your opinion is about the societies laws regarding Capital Punishment and the Death Penalty, I think most of us would want as severed a punishment as possible brought down on a criminal that brought horrible harm to anyone that we love dearly in our family. I point out this extreme and even painful example because we now must come face to face with the reality of the offense – the crime – the criminality – the corruption and pollution – the mockery – that we have made of this precious life that God has given to us. You have to consider the truth found in Hebrews 10:31 “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
This Sunday April 2nd begins what we traditionally call “Passion Week,” or “Holy Week.” Jesus entered into Jerusalem to observe the Passover Week always observed as the great Jewish deliverance week. This story is found in all four Gospel accounts… Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19, and John 12. When Jesus came into the city of Jerusalem on that Sunday of Passover week, he was greeted with cheers from the crowd as they waved palm branches in celebration. By Friday they tried, convicted, sentenced, and carried out the death penalty on him by hanging him on a criminals execution cross. If you really want to understand what Christ is offering you, then you need to dwell deeply on Hebrews 9 & 10 and the story of Jesus leading up to his execution. Most of all you need to truly come to know the full impact of how and why He shed His Blood as the Sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29).
As you prepare for this coming Sunday morning, please read ahead Hebrews 9 (and even into chapter 10). Watch for the heavy duty words of “Blood” and “Sacrifice.” Realize that these are words to describe the reality of the life that we have without the redeemer Jesus, the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”
A quick reminder too for next week. It is Passion Week. Good Friday is Friday April 7th. At 7pm we are going to have a somber and meaningful service of reflection and prayer and we remember the Lamb of God who put His blood on the doorpost of our hearts. I look forward to seeing you this coming Sunday morning.
