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Christ for Us – Part 1

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Different characteristics of Christ which appear for us in Hebrews 9 & 10.

As the Propitiation, to atone

“he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”
Hebrews 9:12

Christ was the propitiation of our sins. In other words, He was the perfect sacrifice that satisfied the righteous wrath of God. Jesus did not merely deflect God’s wrath (like a helmet can deflect a baseball). Jesus absorbed it. All of it. For us.

As the Purifier, to cleanse

“how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”
Hebrews 9:14

The blood of Christ is the purest of all. By it, our conscience is purified of all guilt and dead works.

As the Mediator, to act

“Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.”
Hebrews 9:15

Jesus came to serve as a mediator. A mediator is, as the name suggests (and as the Greek word used for mediator, mesites, literally means) “the one who mediates or stands in the middle”.  Thus, a mediator is one who has links with two opposing sides. He sympathizes with both and is trusted by both. And as the assigned “middle man”, he represents each side to the other with the goal of mending a broken relationship.

As the Priest, to represent

“For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.”
Hebrews 9:24

Just as the priests of old, Jesus was chosen to enter the holy place on behalf of God’s people; however, the holy place that Jesus entered is heaven itself.

As the Sin-Remover, to bless

“for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
Hebrews 9:26

By His stripes, we are healed. Through His sacrifice, our sins our removed.

This study is taken from the notes of F.E. Marsh, which will be added to the Blue Letter Bible commentaries in 2012. Please consider helping us add to and maintain our commentaries and other study tools.

Comments

  2. I would love to share some of these, is it possible to text them from my computer to a cell phone?? Thanks for your efforts for the Lord!

  4. Even the President of the United States of America wears many hats. Cheif Diplomat for a whole nation. Commander and Chief of an entire US. Army in times of “Legal” warfare to protect this nation and first citizen of our great Nation to lead us by his example. What ever that meant anyways??? Not much any more.

    But there are also many roles that Jesus can play that the president can not. And among all of those roles the best one to me is Brethren. Yes; Jesus is God and Lord and Saviour and King but He is also our Elder brother. And while we may not be perfect, He Loves us as His own family anyways.

    Those who seek His face in Humility will find family there waiting to help us all. Amen!

    • Actually I should say that all who do the will of God the Father in Heaven and seek His face Humbly will find family there waiting to help us.

      • …Those who seek His face in Humility will find family there waiting to help us all. Amen!…

        …Actually I should say that all who do the will of God the Father in Heaven and seek His face Humbly will find family there waiting to help us…

        Victor,

        Are you not correct in both instances? Do you always do the will of God perfectly? Are you sure you are humble enough to do just what is the will of God at all times and situations?

        As for myself I am honest with myself and say I do not. Most shamefully I admit. Most humblily I admit my error.

        Thank you Jesus for giving me further grace and mercy to grow in saintliness by more closely following. I seek your face!

        Praise be to God the Father and God the Son!

        My prayer…

        Jesus, thank you for being my advocate to Our Father when I fail to follow what GOD has planned for me. Jesus, please lead me the way~

    • Are you planning to vote for President in 2012? I am unsure at this juncture I should. What do others say?