Title: Forgetfulness of Faith (Hebrews 9:23-28)
Contents
There is no one without forgetfulness. Christians are no exception.
As a Christian who believes in Jesus, one of the things we must not forget is the 'graciousness of redemption through the cross'.
In Greek mythology, people crossed several rivers, including Acheron, Cocytus, Phlegethon, and Styx, on their way to the eternal world ruled by Hades after death. In the midst of that, he crosses the river of lethe, and as he crosses that river, he forgets all the memories of this life.
It's a mythical story, so it's hard to believe that the river of Lethe actually flows, but seeing people forget about it, it seems that the river of Lethe is flowing in your head. hehe
The author of the book of Hebrews describes the atoning death of Jesus Christ over and over again. He repeats and compares the differences between the sacrifice of animals and the atoning death of Jesus Christ in various ways. The reason I explain this in detail and over and over again is that it is so important and that people easily forget it.
Hebrews 2:3 says, “If we neglect so great a salvation, how can we escape its retribution? This salvation was spoken of by the Lord at the beginning, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard it.”
Hebrews 3:1 says, "Therefore, holy brethren, together with you, called in heaven, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our doctrine."
The reason people forget the redemptive grace of the cross is because they neglect it. Because they do not think deeply about the cross of Jesus Christ.
The power of Christian life is in the 'cross'.
We can live the holy life that God wants us to live when we think deeply about Jesus Christ who was crucified. We can resist the temptation of sin that tempts us, and we can overcome all the hardships of life.
Jesus Christ accomplished eternal redemption once for all by offering His body as a sacrifice on the cross. (verse 26)
The sacrifice of animals and the atoning death of Jesus Christ are fundamentally different.
If animal sacrifices are “a type of things in the heavens,” Jesus Christ’s atoning death is “the very things in heaven” (verse 23).
If the animal sacrifices were made in "a sanctuary made with hands, which is the shadow of the true," the sacrifice of Jesus Christ took place "in that very heaven."
Whereas the Levitical priests offered "the blood of others," that is, the blood of animals, Jesus Christ offered "his own blood." How could the blood of animals sanctify the sins of men forever?
There is nothing but the blood of Jesus Christ.
Now Jesus Christ will appear a second time to those who wait for him, just as he gave himself once for all to take away the sins of men. (verse 28)
If we forget the redemptive grace of the cross, the power of our lives will disappear. Holiness disappears.
Instead, cares and worries and all kinds of uncleanness, lusts, and iniquity will take possession of us.
I hope that today will be a day to remember the grace of redemption on the cross and earnestly hope for the Lord who will appear for the second time and enjoy the spiritual grace that God has granted.