Easter is approaching and we have the divine privilege to celebrate the greatest event ever to take place on earth. To most people it’s not that great. They may acknowledge the event but it doesn’t change them. The wonderful thing about the resurrection of Jesus Christ is that we can celebrate Him 24/7. When we believe in what Christ did, God takes up residence within our hearts. We become children of God, see John 14:6 and Acts 4:12. From there, God calls us to persevere, for life can be brutal, exhausting, and unfair.
In Hebrews 10:19-25, the author, scholars believe it is the Apostle Paul, shows us how to persevere. We can trust Paul’s words for He lived a very arduous life. He had been beaten, ridiculed, scorned and imprisoned for his faith in God through His Son Christ. Even in dire circumstances, Paul persevered. His focus remained the same; the presence of Christ.
The presence of Christ gave Paul the strength to endure.
The greatest event ever had to take place because sin entered the world. This separated us from God. This grieved God for He loves His creation. To get us back, He sent His Son to be our atonement, thus we celebrate Easter.
What does life look like for those who believe? Paul tells us, “We can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus.”19 This is a big deal, my friends. Intimacy with God is now restored. “Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.”20 Before this, only the high priest entered into this sacred area. He would make an atonement for people’s sins collectively on their behalf. But now, this isn’t needed any longer. Every person can enter into the presence of God and enjoy Him in all His glory.
Jesus became the great High Priest.
Notice what verse 21 says, “Jesus rules over God’s house.” The first rule of business that Jesus ushers in is that we have open access into God’s presence, as long as we have “sincere hearts fully trusting Him.”22 God gives us new hearts when we receive the gift of salvation found in Christ alone. He helps our hearts and minds to mature into His likeness.
Following Jesus takes perseverance. We need to keep on keeping on. We need to keep our focus on Christ, like Paul did along with with so many others that we read about in the Scriptures. They were world changers. God is calling each of us to change the world.
Guilty consciences keep us from walking with Christ. We like to do what we want to do. We like to have our own way and think our own thoughts. This causes us to depart from His presence. Unfortunately, we can walk away and not even notice, but look at what verse 22 also says, “For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.” If God, in His love, will do this, how can we live so blase’?
(blase’ – Unimpressed or indifferent to something because one has experienced or seen it so often before; Oxford Dictionaries.)
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.”23 We will be thrown around by a relentless adversary if we don’t do what verse 23 is saying. We will lead ourselves astray if we trust our own thinking. Check out Proverbs 3:5-6 for added insight.
We are not only to persevere in our personal walks with God, but we are called to help others in their faith walks too. We are called to do good and show love to others. God’s family is an intimate group of people who share their lives with one another. We are called to meet together on a regular basis to encourage one another.
We are called to live united in love.
Now is the time to prepare your heart for Easter. Do you need to say yes for the first time? God is waiting for you. Jesus died to save you from sin. The Holy Spirit wants to lead you home. The end of verse 25 speaks why, “Now that the day of His return is drawing near.” You do not know when your last day on earth will be. Are you ready?
Do you need to come back because you walked away? God has never stopped loving you. Jesus’ resurrection offers extravagant grace. You can return home. You can run boldly into His arms once again where you will hear, “Let’s try this again. I missed you.”
Springtime is soon upon us. Let a new birth begin within your heart. You couldn’t make God any happier.
Carol J German 