Ash Wednesday  In the Old Testament (Law/Books of Moses) before the death and resurrection of Christ (New Testament/Grace), people would make a public sign of repentance (change of heart/mind) and humility before God, dressing in sackcloth and putting ashes upon their heads, sitting in them, etc. (Jonah 3:5-7, Daniel 9:3-7).  Also in the Old Testament (Leviticus 16:1-34), only the high priest (Ex. Aaron) of Israel, on the Day of Atonement, could enter behind the Holy Veil of the Tabernacle to sprinkle the sacrificed blood of bulls and goats which atoned once a year for Israel’s sin. The high priest would also lay his hands on another live goat, transferring Israel sins onto it, sending it out of the camp to its death. This was their “scapegoat” referred to as Azazel (uncleaness/fallen angel). Thus Israel was clean of their uncleanliness for another year. This was a foreshadow of their Savior, Messiah and Christ to come. Jesus our Atoning “Scapegoat” became sin and died outside the camp. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. The word atonement is to cover. Jesus did not merely cover our sins, but became sin. Death could not hold Him back (Acts 2:24) from entering heaven—the Most Holy Place with His Blood Atonement, ONCE for ALL! Praise God, because of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, there is no need to sit and put ashes on our heads any longer! When we receive Christ, our sins, guilt, and shame are forgiven from that day on (Corinthians 5:21)! We no longer have to sit once a year asking for forgiveness or even bringing up our past sins. As Christians, after we receive Christ, our sins are forgiven and God remembers them no more, as stated in Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Also in Isaiah 43:25 it says, “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” Christians are to examine themselves continually as 2 Corinthians 13:5-7 says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? If we sin after receiving Jesus as our Lord and Savior (which we will), He is faithful to forgive our sin as we humbly confess it (1 John 1:9). This is the New Testament in His Blood, so that we may walk clean to fulfill the high Call He has called us upward to (). Now, Jesus is our New Testament High Priest (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 4:14-16), Who‘s Blood Atoned for mankind and whosoever will receive Him! Hebrews 9:11-12 says, “But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.“ Verse 12 says, ONCE for ALL! This is Good News! Again, in Hebrews 9:25 it says, “Nor did He enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.” So let’s be careful not to be tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, but abide in the Truth of The Word of God (Ephesians 4:14). Let’s not crucify Him again and again, making His death and resurrection of no avail. Ashes may make you feel better or make you feel holier, but receiving Jesus, asking Him for forgiveness of sins and believing he died and was raised up to Life, will “mark” you with His eternal Life Blood Covering as you follow Him—ONCE—That’s all! More Scripture references Hebrews 10:1-10 Hebrews 8:1-2 Hebrews 9:23 1 Peter 1:18-19

Posted by sowingclub at 2024-02-02 13:27:30 UTC