Redeeming Blood
As I was reading in John, 1st chapter today. I got to verse 13, "Which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God". At first glance, it could seem contradictory to say "born not of blood"; after all, it is the precious blood of Jesus, that has made redemption possible. The answer is in the Book of Hebrews, this "blood" is the blood of "bulls and goats". You see, in Jesus' day, the Israelites still relied on offerings of animals to cover their sins. The Law, was all that they knew--(in fact, when Jesus came [in humanity] they didn't recognize Him as the long-awaited Messiah. They thought He was simply the carpenter's son from Nazareth--just another ordinary son of Mary and Joseph. Even though they couldn't explain the miracle of His authoritative teaching in the synagogue, they dismissed Him, as just the carpenter's son. In their dismissal--and rejection, they missed their greatest blessing! While they were fixed on the package--where He was born, what He looked like physically--they missed Immanuel, among them. How sad!
We do this kind of thing, too. We don't think we would have missed Jesus--we think, we would have recognized that (as ordinary as He may have appeared, we would have known) God was among us. I think most of us, would have rejected Him, too. We are just as carnal in our choices, and our ideas about who God chooses and uses. We get caught up, quickly, in outward appearances, too. We look at the fact that someone fell--years ago--and deem them unfit, and we look at those we consider attractive, smart or charismatic--and think this must be God's choice! David's father made that mistake, too. He paraded all of his son's before the prophet, assuming David would never measure up, but David was God's choice. The people of Israel thought Saul was the perfect choice for king, but God rejected him. You see, with God, it is all about the heart. With us, it is about what we see.)
Back to the Blood. The Law was good--it came by Moses (God chose him, too--we wouldn't have, though--because he stuttered!LOL), from God. The Law had limitations, though. It gave an awareness of sin, it provided a covering for sin, but it was temporary--and it couldn't remove or remit sin (or redeem man). When Jesus came, (in the flesh) His blood not only covered sin, but combined with our faith in His death, burial and resurrection, His blood takes away "the sins of the world"! The blood of animals could only hide sin--temporarily, that's why it had to be shed over and over again. The sin was still there--until Jesus.
In order for salvation through Jesus to be realized in Israel, John came "baptizing with water". (Prior to Jesus) those who recognized their sin and the need for cleansing were being baptized by John (unto repentance). Jesus, Himself, was baptized not for repentance, but as an example for us--He had no need of repentance or redemption--He was the Redeemer. He wanted to show mankind, this is the method for cleansing--baptism in water, and the promise of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38)! Jesus was baptized, then the Holy Ghost descended upon Him. When we receive Him, by faith and are baptized, we have the assurance that we will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Baptism is the outward sign. Receiving the Holy Ghost is inward. Jesus is the perfect example for us--without sin, but willing to submit Himself to baptism and even to death--for us.
Again, the Law was good--but Grace and Truth are better! We know that the Law was good--it had to be--it came from God. It wasn't permanent, though, it was only intended to usher mankind into Grace. As I thought about GRACE and TRUTH, I determined that you can't have one without the other. Grace will beckon you to truth, and truth will compel you to seek/receive grace. Grace and truth are interconnected, woven together in the redemptive act of Jesus Christ. The Law was true, but without grace, it could not complete the redemptive act. It could only be a type/foreshadow of the grace to come, by the Person of Jesus Christ. He brought grace to mankind, at the Cross, where the shedding of His own blood made Him our Redeemer (our Kinsman--and the only One who could redeem us).
Being our Kinsman-Redeemer meant Jesus had to meet certain requirements:
1) Jesus had to be related to us;
2) Jesus had to have the means;
3) Jesus had to be willing.
In regards to relationship, the most important relationship (in tribal Israel) was that of father and oldest son. However, the greatest example of a kinsman-redeemer in the Old Testament, though is not father/son, but Boaz/Naomi-Ruth. Ruth was the daughter-in-law of Naomi. Boaz was related to Naomi and therefore the relative of her deceased son, which put him in line to "redeem" Ruth and the inheritance of her husband--but wait, Boaz wasn't the closest relative, so in order to redeem them, he had to first go to the next in line, and ask permission to redeem. The nearest relative, didn't have the means. This enabled Boaz to redeem Mahlon by taking Ruth as his wife. Boaz, has the means, too, and he was more than willing. The story of their coming together is miraculous in its grace. There is so much here....
Elimelech and Naomi never should have been in Moab. They left Bethlehem-Judah--the "house of bread" and the place of "Praise" to go to Moab. Moab means "progeny of a father". It's named for Moab, the son of Lot, who was born out of an incestuous act by Lot's daughters, with their father. The Moabites were the same nation that came against Israel on their way to Canaan. They didn't belong in Moab. Elimelech takes his wife and two sons, to Moab; Elimelech dies. Naomi's sons marry Moabite women. And then, they die (the sons, that is) Naomi is left with two daughters-in-law, in Moab. She hears that there is bread in Bethlehem-Judah, and returns from Moab, daughters-in-law, in tow. She tells them to return to their homes--Orpah does, but Ruth says, "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest: I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God, my God: where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me." So, Naomi allows Ruth to continue on, with her. They returned to Bethlehem, at the time of harvest. I said all of this, to note the great grace of God. They left Bethlehem-Judah of their own will, but God still uses Ruth--a woman of Moab--a Gentile. Ruth chooses Naomi's God; and Boaz, chooses Ruth. Ruth and Boaz are the great-grandparents of David, and Jesus is (humanly) descended from this union!
Boaz became the redeemer of his Ephramite-Jewish brother, by marrying the widow, Ruth. The nearest kinsman could not redeem Mahlon's inheritance (Ruth 4:6) so, Boaz (4:9) became the kinsman-redeemer--meeting all of the requirements. As Boaz, do you think that you could have seen beyond Ruth's outward Moabitish appearance and heritage, to the plan of God for her life?
God looks at the heart--not the things that we see (with our carnal/natural eyes). If we could only look beyond the earthy, and "see" with spiritual eyes. Oh, the things we miss--the great blessings, because we walk after the flesh--by sight, and not by faith!
Jesus is our "goel"--Avenger. The Kinsman avenged the blood of his relative who was dead, (as in "dead in trespasses and sins"). That's what we were, so we needed a Redeemer. Jesus is our Father/Brother (by His blood--relationship is determined by blood). Jesus has the means--He paid the price--with His blood. Jesus was willing--to die, by shedding His blood! Oh, the blood of Jesus!!! Redemption is always/only through the Blood!
In the case of the Old Testament law, the "goel" was obligated to raise up a son (where there wasn't one) to perpetuate the dead brother's name and inheritance. We were dead, but God gave us Jesus, to be our Kinsman-Redeemer and He gave us a Name--His own, and an inheritance, incorruptible and undefiled.
Jesus has finished the act of redemption; no longer is it necessary to slay animals to cover sin. Our Redeemer is now our Intercessor and High Priest, as well--so, no longer do we have to go through a high priest (who is humanly-flawed) but we have direct access to the throne of God (our King and High Priest, for evermore).
Jesus has become our Righteousness. This is the fulfilling of the levitical Law of redemption--He came not to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it. Hebrews 7:28 says, "For the Law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of oath which was since the Law, maketh the Son, Who is consecrated forevermore." That's GRACE and TRUTH! Grace was the making of the Son, and the Word of oath is truth. It is all wrapped up in Jesus! (And it always was.)
Love & Blessings,
Lisa
We do this kind of thing, too. We don't think we would have missed Jesus--we think, we would have recognized that (as ordinary as He may have appeared, we would have known) God was among us. I think most of us, would have rejected Him, too. We are just as carnal in our choices, and our ideas about who God chooses and uses. We get caught up, quickly, in outward appearances, too. We look at the fact that someone fell--years ago--and deem them unfit, and we look at those we consider attractive, smart or charismatic--and think this must be God's choice! David's father made that mistake, too. He paraded all of his son's before the prophet, assuming David would never measure up, but David was God's choice. The people of Israel thought Saul was the perfect choice for king, but God rejected him. You see, with God, it is all about the heart. With us, it is about what we see.)
Back to the Blood. The Law was good--it came by Moses (God chose him, too--we wouldn't have, though--because he stuttered!LOL), from God. The Law had limitations, though. It gave an awareness of sin, it provided a covering for sin, but it was temporary--and it couldn't remove or remit sin (or redeem man). When Jesus came, (in the flesh) His blood not only covered sin, but combined with our faith in His death, burial and resurrection, His blood takes away "the sins of the world"! The blood of animals could only hide sin--temporarily, that's why it had to be shed over and over again. The sin was still there--until Jesus.
In order for salvation through Jesus to be realized in Israel, John came "baptizing with water". (Prior to Jesus) those who recognized their sin and the need for cleansing were being baptized by John (unto repentance). Jesus, Himself, was baptized not for repentance, but as an example for us--He had no need of repentance or redemption--He was the Redeemer. He wanted to show mankind, this is the method for cleansing--baptism in water, and the promise of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38)! Jesus was baptized, then the Holy Ghost descended upon Him. When we receive Him, by faith and are baptized, we have the assurance that we will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Baptism is the outward sign. Receiving the Holy Ghost is inward. Jesus is the perfect example for us--without sin, but willing to submit Himself to baptism and even to death--for us.
Again, the Law was good--but Grace and Truth are better! We know that the Law was good--it had to be--it came from God. It wasn't permanent, though, it was only intended to usher mankind into Grace. As I thought about GRACE and TRUTH, I determined that you can't have one without the other. Grace will beckon you to truth, and truth will compel you to seek/receive grace. Grace and truth are interconnected, woven together in the redemptive act of Jesus Christ. The Law was true, but without grace, it could not complete the redemptive act. It could only be a type/foreshadow of the grace to come, by the Person of Jesus Christ. He brought grace to mankind, at the Cross, where the shedding of His own blood made Him our Redeemer (our Kinsman--and the only One who could redeem us).
Being our Kinsman-Redeemer meant Jesus had to meet certain requirements:
1) Jesus had to be related to us;
2) Jesus had to have the means;
3) Jesus had to be willing.
In regards to relationship, the most important relationship (in tribal Israel) was that of father and oldest son. However, the greatest example of a kinsman-redeemer in the Old Testament, though is not father/son, but Boaz/Naomi-Ruth. Ruth was the daughter-in-law of Naomi. Boaz was related to Naomi and therefore the relative of her deceased son, which put him in line to "redeem" Ruth and the inheritance of her husband--but wait, Boaz wasn't the closest relative, so in order to redeem them, he had to first go to the next in line, and ask permission to redeem. The nearest relative, didn't have the means. This enabled Boaz to redeem Mahlon by taking Ruth as his wife. Boaz, has the means, too, and he was more than willing. The story of their coming together is miraculous in its grace. There is so much here....
Elimelech and Naomi never should have been in Moab. They left Bethlehem-Judah--the "house of bread" and the place of "Praise" to go to Moab. Moab means "progeny of a father". It's named for Moab, the son of Lot, who was born out of an incestuous act by Lot's daughters, with their father. The Moabites were the same nation that came against Israel on their way to Canaan. They didn't belong in Moab. Elimelech takes his wife and two sons, to Moab; Elimelech dies. Naomi's sons marry Moabite women. And then, they die (the sons, that is) Naomi is left with two daughters-in-law, in Moab. She hears that there is bread in Bethlehem-Judah, and returns from Moab, daughters-in-law, in tow. She tells them to return to their homes--Orpah does, but Ruth says, "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest: I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God, my God: where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me." So, Naomi allows Ruth to continue on, with her. They returned to Bethlehem, at the time of harvest. I said all of this, to note the great grace of God. They left Bethlehem-Judah of their own will, but God still uses Ruth--a woman of Moab--a Gentile. Ruth chooses Naomi's God; and Boaz, chooses Ruth. Ruth and Boaz are the great-grandparents of David, and Jesus is (humanly) descended from this union!
Boaz became the redeemer of his Ephramite-Jewish brother, by marrying the widow, Ruth. The nearest kinsman could not redeem Mahlon's inheritance (Ruth 4:6) so, Boaz (4:9) became the kinsman-redeemer--meeting all of the requirements. As Boaz, do you think that you could have seen beyond Ruth's outward Moabitish appearance and heritage, to the plan of God for her life?
God looks at the heart--not the things that we see (with our carnal/natural eyes). If we could only look beyond the earthy, and "see" with spiritual eyes. Oh, the things we miss--the great blessings, because we walk after the flesh--by sight, and not by faith!
Jesus is our "goel"--Avenger. The Kinsman avenged the blood of his relative who was dead, (as in "dead in trespasses and sins"). That's what we were, so we needed a Redeemer. Jesus is our Father/Brother (by His blood--relationship is determined by blood). Jesus has the means--He paid the price--with His blood. Jesus was willing--to die, by shedding His blood! Oh, the blood of Jesus!!! Redemption is always/only through the Blood!
In the case of the Old Testament law, the "goel" was obligated to raise up a son (where there wasn't one) to perpetuate the dead brother's name and inheritance. We were dead, but God gave us Jesus, to be our Kinsman-Redeemer and He gave us a Name--His own, and an inheritance, incorruptible and undefiled.
Jesus has finished the act of redemption; no longer is it necessary to slay animals to cover sin. Our Redeemer is now our Intercessor and High Priest, as well--so, no longer do we have to go through a high priest (who is humanly-flawed) but we have direct access to the throne of God (our King and High Priest, for evermore).
Jesus has become our Righteousness. This is the fulfilling of the levitical Law of redemption--He came not to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it. Hebrews 7:28 says, "For the Law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of oath which was since the Law, maketh the Son, Who is consecrated forevermore." That's GRACE and TRUTH! Grace was the making of the Son, and the Word of oath is truth. It is all wrapped up in Jesus! (And it always was.)
Love & Blessings,
Lisa
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