Understanding All Jesus Accomplished

by Jim Supp, Campus Pastor @ MBC Loudoun

I have just finished reading Leviticus and have started reading Numbers in my personal time with God each day. I am reminded of why so many people skip right on over these books as they make their way through the scriptures. Honestly – at first read they are pretty boring. Sorry, Lord. I know I shouldn’t say that out loud. After all, it is the Bible. But because I am a rule follower, and reading through the Bible in a year means ALL of the Bible, not just the parts that are more exciting, I am persevering. As I sit back to ponder all I am reading and what it actually means I am struck by a critical reality. The people of God had to do an enormous amount in order to meet with the living God. They had to build a structure – the tabernacle – to very strict specifications regarding every component. Then different clans were assigned to carry each and every piece of it around through the wilderness as they wandered. There was very rigid do’s and don’ts about how it was to be set up and who was allowed to do what job –with severe consequences for mishandling these instructions, like death. And here is the amazing part – Jesus did away with all of that. As the once for all high priest and sacrifice Hebrews 4:16 tells us we can approach the throne of God with confidence. WOW! And now WE are God’s temple since He indwells every believer – 1 Corinthians 6:19. The next time you are tempted to skip over certain parts of the Scripture – like Leviticus and Numbers – I encourage you to keep on reading. Allow yourself to be impacted by the implications about all the Christ as done for us as you read those passages. When you see what it means for Jesus to have provided ‘access for us to the Father’ you will never see the old testament the same way. Never take for granted that ‘in Christ’ we have free access at any time to the living God of the universe. God bless you as you walk with Him today.