Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. The actual activity of the high
priest in the tabernacle was not seen because the veil prevented
the eye of man from beholding the glory of the sin sacrifice.
Yet those gathered in the outer court could rejoice, since they
believed that the actions of the high priest were sufficient
to expiate their sins, even though the actual transaction was hidden
from their view. But Christ, being come a high
priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect
tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building,
neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood
he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal
redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and
of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean,
sanctify to the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall
the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself
without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to
serve the living God? As we behold him who is our tabernacle,
our great high priest, and our sacrifice, that we can identify
with the words of the psalmist, how amiable are thy tabernacles.
It is a glorious thing to be able to gaze upon the glories
of that one who has forever satisfied our sin-debt and cleansed us
from all guilt attached to it. There is therefore now no condemnation
to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh,
but after the Spirit. This is the central theme of
the gospel. Without the definite atonement of Christ and actually
purchasing that possession which he came to redeem, we have no
message of hope to declare to the mourning sons of God. Not
one of those whose salvation was purchased there can possibly
ever be lost. They are forever justified by
the activity of their high priest, who arose after the order of
Melchizedek. Thou art a priest forever after
the order of Melchizedek, who in the days of his flesh, when
he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying
and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was
heard in that he feared. Though he were a son, yet learned
he obedience by the things which he suffered. And being made perfect,
he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that
obey him, called of God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. The gospel is not a message which
requires a cooperative effort on the part of men and the Lord.
Rather, it is a clear declaration that he has accomplished the
redemption and salvation of every one of those for whom he entered
into that holy place and does ever live to make intercession
for. But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable
priesthood. Wherefore, he is able also to
save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing
he ever liveth to make intercession for them. This number for which
he makes intercession cannot be increased in any wise by the
activity or efforts of men. But thanks be unto God, it most
certainly cannot be diminished by the failings of men either.
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him. He hath put him to grief,
when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin. He shall
see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of
the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail
of his soul and shall be satisfied. By his knowledge shall my righteous
servant justify many, for he shall bear their iniquities.
Happy is that people that is in such a case, yea, happy is
that people whose God is the Lord. We can see into the holy
place, and behold the mercy seat, and him who sits upon the everlasting
throne. Well did the psalmist say, for
a day in thy courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I
had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell
in the tents of wickedness. What a privilege it is to be
led inside the court of the tabernacle, enclosed with the fine white
linen of Christ's righteousness. Those who pass by on the outside
see no beauty, but those who have, by the grace of God, been
taken inside desire no other dwelling. For the preaching of
the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which
are saved it is the power of God. Make a joyful noise unto
the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness.
Come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord
is God. It is he that hath made us and
not we ourselves. We are his people and the sheep
of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise. Be thankful unto him, and bless
his name. For the Lord is good, his mercy
is everlasting, and his truth endureth to all generations. Happy the church, thou sacred
place, the seat of thy Creator's grace. Thy holy courts are his
abode, thou earthly palace of our God. thy walls of strength,
and at thy gates a guard of heavenly warriors waits, nor shall thy
deep foundations move, fixed on his counsels and his love. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.