The Power of the One Sacrifice

In these verses, the author of Hebrews concluded his exposition about sacrifice. As he did before, the author compared the earthly cult of the Temple in Jerusalem with the heavenly worship of Jesus which began on the cross. Both types of sacrifice were continuous. The earthly cult offered the same sacrifices over and over. In this sense, it was impotent, for it could not affect what it asked: Reconciliation and intimacy with God. The heavenly cult of Jesus was also continuous, but in a different sense. The death of Jesus on the cross was a one-time event. But the reality of that event, found in the risen body of the Lord, would live forever.

To truly appreciate the thinking in Hebrews, we must once again see what kept people from a lasting, intimate relationship with God: death. The earthly cult of the Temple could never overcome death. This was why it could not take away the cause of death: sin. But, with the death and resurrection of Jesus, death itself was destroyed and, by extension, its cause.

Belief in the Risen Lord connected one to his eternal life. With such life now a reality, the author looked forward to the destruction of those who aligned themselves with sin and death (i.e., non-believers). These would be the enemies “as a stool under his feet.”

Some might mock us for our trust in someone who died two millennia ago. This was the same scepticism that Jewish-Christians faced when they held onto their faith in the face of the destruction of the Temple. The gloomy outlook of the world, critics claim, is enough to argue against faith. Believers, however, view the outlook AS a reason for faith. We reach out to the One beyond us, because the world is not enough. And he gives us true, everlasting life.

The world viewed the cross as death. We see it as life.

Have you had an experience with death and destruction? How has such an experience challenged or strengthened your faith?

 

GOSPEL MEDITATION

M rk 13:24-32  "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, (25) and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. (26) And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. (27) And then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. (28) "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. (29) So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. (30) Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place. (31) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (32) "But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

When, Lord? When?

T raditionally, the topic of the Second Coming is faced with a tinge of dread. Am I ready to see my Savior? Some dismiss such anxiety as "paranoia" and live their lives as if Christ postponed his coming forever. How do we face the end of the world, with anxiety or apathy? Do we think of Christ's coming at all?

What anxieties do people have about the so-called "end times?"

Distress over the future again weaves itself through popular culture. After all, one wants to be left behind! (My apologies to Tim LaHaye). Uncertainty engulfs those on the fringe with paranoia and colors the majority with cynicism.

So, what's new? For the past two millennia, Christians have looked to the future and asked, "When, Lord, when?" To this question, Jesus had an answer.

Jesus told his followers: (24) "In the time after the Great Testing, 'the sun will be dark, and the moon will not reflect the sun's light. (25) The stars will fall from the sky, and everything in the sky will be shaken up.'  (26) Then people will see the Son of Man come in the clouds with great power. (27) He will send his messengers and gather all believers from every corner of the earth. (28) Look at the fig tree. When you see its branches are green and spouting leaves, you know summer will come soon. (29) When you see everything I described happen, you will know it is near, even at the door to your house. (30) Listen! This generation will definitely not die until all these things happen! (31) Heaven and earth may die away, but my words will never die away. (32) Nobody, not even the angels in heaven or the Son, knows exactly when these things will happen. Only the Father really knows."

In Mark's gospel, Jesus addressed the coming day of the Lord in two ways: active anticipation and faith. Look for signs, Jesus told his followers, but trust in the Lord's time, not your own.

Viewing the end of time, Jesus saw the event as the visit of the divine King. God would prepare the visit with cosmic signs and events [24-25] as a means of announcement. The King would arrive in a way that reflected his power and reputation (on the clouds); his messengers-criers ("angels") would go throughout the known world to gather all the faithful [26-27]. Remember that the Jewish people had been displaced throughout the known world because of economic opportunity or oppression. Jesus implied that the injustice of Jews living on foreign soil would be corrected during his lifetime [30].

How did his disciples know Jesus spoke the truth? Jesus gave a farming analogy of the fig tree (green before the summer [29]) to support his belief in God's immanent judgment. Then he compared God's creation to his words. Nature changed, but his words would not; they were eternal and, so, trustworthy 31].

After all that, Jesus said that only God knew the day (the time frame) or the hour (the exact moment) of these events [32]. Doesn't this contradict his preaching and assurance? To the impatient Westerner, the answer would seem to be "yes." But Jesus challenged his disciples to see the process through God's eyes. These things would happen in God's time, not ours. The teaching of Jesus challenged both his audience and our uncertain time to trust God with the future. Anxiety and paranoia were futile responses to a situation that requires faith.

What themes in popular culture remind you of the Second Coming? What is your response to them as a Christian?

When are you coming, Lord? When!? While we might not be consumed with the question of the end time, personal anxiety in life will cause us to ask the question. Jesus' answer to us is the same one he gave his followers two thousand years ago. Look for signs of his coming in the chaos of life. And trust in his time of your deliverance. Rest assured, he will come at the right time!

What makes you anxious about the future? How can God help you with your anxieties this week?