4 minute read
“For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.” (Hebrews 9:15 NIV)
Jesus mediates our eternal inheritance.
Raised in church, I did not truly understand why Jesus died on the cross until I was an adult. The more I learn about Jewish culture, the more I understand the need for Jesus. Jewish law contains 613 commandments. No human on earth could keep all of them; each has consequences. All of the Old Testament’s animal sacrifices are to atone for the sins that result from breaking the laws. Jesus, who is Jewish, is the only one who has and ever will fulfill all of the rules. His innocence covers our guilt. He took the penalty for what we deserve. You need Jesus because He’s the only one who can save you.
Jesus’s salvation gives eternal life.
The eternal life Jesus offers is freedom from our sins. He allows us to reset our lives, let go of our sins, and start fresh. When our computers start acting up, we all know what to do; turn it off and back on—disconnecting the electricity from the laptop forces it to reset itself. When we turn the device back on, whatever problem we were having is gone. Life resumes with a fresh start. Each morning is our reboot with God:
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV)
Problems don’t disappear overnight; that’s not what I’m saying. However, our attitude towards them can and does change as we seek Jesus.
Shining Jesus light into our lives illuminates the dark areas of our hearts. He reveals the places where jealousy, anger, hatred, and other negative emotions live. When our sin is exposed, Jesus covers it with love. His actions on the cross takes our sin away. He replaces the negative with the positive:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)
As we begin our day with Him, He refreshes our soul. The mistakes of yesterday become today’s opportunity to share Christ. Instead of looking at life through our limited view, we look through the eyes of Jesus. When we do, we see the hurt in people’s lives. We begin to understand, everyone is struggling, in need of Jesus’s unconditional love. However, we can’t force people to accept the gift, but hope and pray they one day will.
Question of the Day:
Did you reboot with Jesus today?
Further Reading:Ezekiel 20 NIV, Hebrews 9:11-28 NIV, Psalm 107 NIV, Proverbs 27:11 NIV
