In Hebrews 9:23-28, shows animals were sufficient for the earthly tabernacle and ministry of men, but not for the heavenly. Jesus had to offer His blood in the Holy Place, heaven. He did this before God for us, that is, on our behalf; once and for all.

Jesus appeared the first time to put away sin. The second time He will come apart from sin—not to bear man’s sin again, but to give us eternal salvation. Notice, this is for those who “eagerly wait for Him.” Are we eagerly waiting?

Hebrews 2:10-18, highlights the fact that Jesus has experienced what we experience. He left heaven, came to earth, lived a flesh-and-blood life. How thankful we need to be that we are of the same family; we have the same Father.

He did not face temptation to learn what it was like, but to show us how to resist it. His actions on earth were for our benefit, not His. By reading about His life, studying His teaching, and following His example, we are helped in our time of trial.

Hebrews 1 establishes the deity of Jesus. Hebrews 2, particularly verses 5-18, shows His humanity.

Hebrews 2:1-4, tells us the law given by our Lord is not something to be dismissed out of hand, treated like it is from man, or even hold it on the same level as the Old Law delivered by angels. Rather, it is the Law of Christ given by the Son of God through His hand-picked representatives. It was confirmed by miracles and is preserved for us to this day.

The Son of God, though greater than the angels, was made lower than them. He came to this earth to sacrifice Himself; “that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone” (Heb. 2:9). He died for all, not a few elect. He died to redeem us from our sins.

The writer also interweaves the idea that His humiliation led to His exaltation. He was crowned with glory and honor. All things are subject to Him; save death which will happen in the end (1 Cor. 15:22-28).

May we ever be thankful for a triumphant, self-sacrificing Savior.

For the record: We cannot fully explain how it could be that a being was both divine and human at the same time. We cannot explain how our soul dwells in our body. However, we believe both because the Bible lays out evidence for both.

The upshot of Ephesians 2:11-22, is unity in the body of Christ. Both Jew and Gentile are part of the church, which is His body (Eph. 1:22, 23). Whereas Gentiles were once outside Israel, they are now part of it in Christ. This is possible because the Israel of God is now spiritual, not physical. The old relationship God had with physical Israel is no longer. Now He recognizes the spiritual kingdom, the church, the body, the kingdom of Christ.

Notice, Jew and Gentile are reconciled in one body through the cross. We are reconciled by Christ in one body, the church, through one cross. If we can have the body, church, of our choice, may we have the cross of our choice? There were three crosses and deaths the day Jesus was crucified; two thieves and the Lord. We can no more take the cross of our choice and go to heaven then we can take the body of our choice and go to heaven.

The Holy Spirit, through Paul, gives us great hope and encouragement. When death comes to those we love, we need not have worldly sorrow if they died in the Lord. Faithful Christians go on to peace and rest. They will be raised from the dead to join all the redeemed and the Lord forever.

It is hard to imagine what that last, great day will be like. The Lord appearing suddenly. All the dead rising from the graves, oceans, deserts, and mountains. The angels appearing with flaming fire. The question is, will we be ready?

Mark 15:27-47: thank you Lord for your sacrifice.

Mark 15 opens early on Friday morning. Jesus was taken before Pilate as the Jews sought to have Him put to death. When the other gospel accounts are examined, we see that Pilate declared Jesus innocent multiple times. However, the Jews kept the pressure on him, even threatening to declare Pilate an enemy of Caesar. No doubt, seeing very little consequence to killing the one whom the Jews so despised and fearing for his political future…even his life…Pilate sentenced Jesus to death.

The Roman soldiers took the Lord and shamefully treated Him; mocking Him and His position as King of the Jews. Are we ever guilty of similar conduct?

When they crucified Jesus, He refused the medicated drink that would have numbed His senses. He felt the full force of the pain and suffering associated with the crucifixion; all for you and me. How little we appreciate what He went through for our eternal salvation. Let us be determined to gain a better understanding and deeper appreciation for the Lord’s sacrifice.

Jesus predicted His death for the third time in Mark 10:32-34. The disciples are slow to grasp what He was saying. These statements of the Lord, along with numerous prophecies, show us that the crucifixion was not a surprise to God. He knew the Jews would reject the Christ and put Him to death.

As the disciples grow anxious about the coming kingdom, James and John jockey for position. They petition the Lord for the top two places (10:35-45). After Jesus points out that they will suffer like Him, He tells them that their request is not His to fulfill. Rather, when considered in light of what He teaches in 10:42-45, those who would be at the top are those who serve at the bottom.

In close of Mark 10, we read about Bartimaeus. He was an irrepressible spirit seeking a blessing from the Lord. Others tried to stop him, but he was undeterred. Bartimaeus would not quit until he had his say with Jesus. Do we have the same determination? Our spiritual ailment should drive us to a greater degree of desperation; we should pursue the Savior no matter what others say.

The Bible describes angels as amazing beings. Their appearance often excited fear and dread in the hearts of men (Lk. 1:11, 12, 28, 29). The strength of angels is unquestionable, as one slew 185,000 men of the Assyrian army (2 Kgs. 19:35). Though powerful and fear inspiring, angels are the friends of those who love God (Lk. 2:9, 10).

God uses angels in fulfilling His will and helping His own (Heb. 1:13, 14). In Bible times, angels were manifest to men in visions and more. Cornelius saw an angel who told him to send for Peter (Acts 10:3). An angel helped Peter escape prison (Acts 12:7). Today, angels will not appear to us in visions, nor open prison doors for us. However, God still uses them in His providence. Exactly how they are used in God’s providence is beyond our understanding, but they are still “ministering spirits.” Too, the Bible teaches angels are those who help us cross from this life into the next. “So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom” (Lk. 16:22).

The Afterlife According To Luke 16

In Luke 16:19-31, we have the account of the rich man and Lazarus. We are blessed with this revelation as the Lord pulls back the curtain on the afterlife. Many lessons can be gleaned from this passage, but we will stick to three.

We know the circumstances of men often change when they pass over to the other side (Lk. 16:19-23). The rich man was blessed with worldly goods, privileges, and luxury. It is fair to say he trusted in them and was consumed by them. Lazarus, on the other hand, had a life of affliction and suffering, but had faith in God. In the hadean world the rich man was afflicted and Lazarus privileged. Circumstances change.

The account also teaches us that all men die, whether rich or poor (1 Cor. 15:22). The rich man’s life was not spared by his wealth. His riches and luxuries came to an abrupt end. Lazarus’ physical suffering ceased. Nothing on this earth lasts forever. Everything, pleasures and pain, will come to an end.

All men go to Hades after death. The rich man found himself in torments; experiencing pain, suffering, guilt, worry. Lazarus was in paradise (Abraham’s bosom) enjoying peace, rest, contentment, and satisfaction. These are the only two conditions in the realm of the unseen, Hades, the place where souls go to await the great resurrection day.

The Innocent Go To Paradise

Those who are innocent by virtue of the blood of Christ go to paradise. We know all men sin (Rom. 3:23). This sin separates them from God (Isa. 59:1, 2). They are guilty of violating the law of God and stand condemned.

God has provided a way for men to escape this condemnation. When anyone obeys the gospel in faith, repentance, and baptism, his sins are washed away (Acts 2:38). These are those who are redeemed in Him (Eph. 1:7). The ones who stay faithful will have an eternal home in heaven (Rev. 14:13). The reason is they are innocent because the blood of Christ has taken away their sins.

The other group that is innocent are those who never sinned. They are innocent by virtue of purity (Lk. 18:15-17). These would include the mentally handicap, infants, and children who did not reach the age of accountability. They never sinned because they were never responsible.

It is worth noting that all in paradise will have a home in heaven (Rev. 20:11-21:1; 22:14, 15). The innocent in paradise will receive an eternal reward, but those who are guilty will be punished forever.

A Great Company In Paradise

Have you ever really stopped to consider who is in paradise?

Men of faith are in paradise. Abel is (Heb. 11:4). So is Enoch (Heb. 11:5). Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, Samuel, and the prophets are there (Heb. 11:7-32). These are all men who faithfully served God; mighty men of God. Moses and Elijah are there too (Matt. 17:3). Stephen, James, Peter, and Paul are there waiting the judgment (Acts 7, 12; 2 Pet. 1:12-15; 2 Tim. 4:6-8). Just think of this: we will get to see them there. They will greet us in paradise. Just as Lazarus was in Abraham’s bosom, so it will be with us. The account of Hades in Luke 16 shows us that men have their memories and can communicate in paradise. Just to what extent or depth this goes, we do not know, but it is a fascinating thought.

Further, women of faith are in paradise. Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, and Rahab are all there (Heb. 11:11-31). Do you suppose Deborah is there? Me too. Esther, the great queen who save Israel is there. Ruth is there. Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene are there (Jn. 19:25). Mary the sister of Lazarus and Mary the mother of Jesus are there. Is there any doubt about this? Priscilla and Anna the prophetess are there (Rom. 16:3; Lk. 2:36-38). They will greet us along with the men.

Here is something mothers can appreciate. When Lazarus died and was carried by the angels to paradise, he was in Abraham’s bosom. He was comforted by the father of us all. A mother who loses a child can draw comfort from the fact that that precious soul will be cared for and comforted by these women of faith. You sweet child will not lack.

Take Comfort In Paradise

We are not to sorrow as those who have no hope (1 Thes. 4:13-18). We will sorrow, it is only natural. Jesus wept at Lazarus’ grave. The sorrow we have is not to be like the world. Their sorrow is hopeless and destitute. We have hope that Christians will go to paradise and on to heaven one day. Those who are “safe” are guaranteed to be in paradise and a home in heaven.

Our innocent loved ones who go on before us will enjoy great blessings. They will not experience physical suffering anymore (Lk. 16:25). No more heartaches or sorrows will invade their lives. Spiritual battles will end and temptation will be no more. They will be beyond the reach of Satan! Too, it is a blessed thought to know that when they pass from this life into the next, they will be carried in the arms of angels.