Understanding Changes Is Different Than Accepting Them

Hebrews 7:18-19 -   Yes, the old system of priesthood based on family lines was canceled because it didn’t work. It was weak and useless for saving people.  It never made anyone really right with God. But now we have a far better hope, for Christ makes us acceptable to God, and now we may draw near to him.

It must have been as hard for the devout Jews to understand as it is for us sometimes. The specific rules for sacrifice and worship were completely changed with Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection. Priests were chosen from the tribe of Levi…except for one named Melchizedek.  He was the greatest of priests…but yet had no record of birth or death.

God established Jesus as the greatest of priests…from the line of Judah….and the need to sacrifice animals for the blood they provided was not needed any more. The old system made atonement for sin…but never made anyone right with God.  Christ’s sacrifice of his perfect blood made a way for all to enjoy not just atonement for our sins…but the opportunity for them to be washed away completely.

The cold snap and 36 degree temps this morning give me the perfect example. My old rental in London KY was an old house. No matter how high I cranked the heat…or how many space heaters I ran in each room…it still felt colder than my thermostat said it should be. The wonderful house that God provided for me here in Sevierville is different. I cranked the heat on this morning and in minutes I had to turn it off…63 feeling like 75. What a change…and for the better.  I don’t have to understand the specifics of insulation and heating units…I just get to reap the benefits of warmer air around me this winter and a lower electric bill to boot.

I for one may never completely understand and be able to explain the details of how God changed the system of sacrifice needed for atonement.  But I can be completely confident that God changed things to make it easier for me to be his child and receive Christ’s gift of salvation.  I can be thankful that he made a way for me to know him personally and have a relationship with him that gives me a direct line to the father.

Father…thank you for the changes you made in your plan to allow man a way to atone for his sins.  Thank you for the precious gift you gave in your son and his willingness to obey and sacrifice it for me. Forgive me for the times that I take this precious gift for granted and fail to thank you for it. Help me to spend more of my time with you thanking you for the changes and listening to how you want me to use them to help you convince others of your great love. Amen.