We See Jesus Day 5 - Our Pioneer

Enjoy day 5 of We See Jesus...

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Hebrews 2:9-18 and Hebrews 9:11-14

Consider Hebrews 9:14 in The Message Paraphrase:

Through the Spirit, Christ offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice, freeing us from all those dead-end efforts to make ourselves respectable, so that we can live all-out for God.

Growing up, I loved to read historical novels - particularly ones about 'pioneers'. Men and women who left behind their loved ones and the comforts of their homes and bravely set off to explore and settle new lands. They sacrificed much for the benefit of future generations.

Hebrews tells us that Jesus is the pioneer of our salvation (2:10). He surrendered the comforts of Heaven - even His own personal comfort and security - to pave the way for us to be saved and set free from the fear of death. And as the pioneer of our salvation, Jesus went ahead as our High Priest.

The High Priest represented the people before God, offering gifts and sacrifices to cover their sins. But these sacrifices could only make us outwardly clean, they were powerless to take away our sins; powerless to bring lasting transformation and freedom. And so day after day the priests performed their duties, again and again they offered the same sacrifices that could never take away the people's sins; never repay their debt.

Jesus came as the guarantee of something better. He tasted death so that we would not have to - making atonement with His own body for what no amount of sacrifice or effort on our part could ever rectify. His sacrifice was once for all because the blood shed was not that of goats or calves, but His own. He was the perfect, unblemished sacrifice and through Him, we too have been made perfect - complete - in the eyes of God. His sacrifice has made us clean on the inside.

We are now set free from the burden of trying to atone for our own sins and empowered to live for God. And for this reason, Jesus came not only as the pioneer of our salvation but also as the pioneer of our faith (Heb 12:2). The Greek for what we translate as pioneer also had the connotation of one that takes the lead and affords an example. Jesus came to redeem us, but also to set the example of what it looks like to serve the Living God.

When you feel weary and overwhelmed; lacking and burdened by your own inadequacies, look at Jesus. See Him as the pioneer - as the One who has gone ahead to clear the obstacles and to prepare an inheritance for you. See your High Priest and know that His sacrifice was once for all and does not need to be repeated. Your debt has been cleared, the price has been paid and you are forever free - so live all-out for the One who gave His all for you.

Meditate on Hebrews 2:9. Notice the contrasts: Jesus suffered and tasted death but is now crowned with glory and honour; His suffering was by the grace of God. This verse reminds us that even in the brutality of the cross, grace was on display and that God can bestow crowns on those who suffer for Him (see also James 1:12). Take some time to thank Jesus for His sacrifice and bring before the Father the areas of your life where you are believing to see His grace on display.

Re-read Hebrews 9:11-14. Are there any areas where you are trying to rely on your own efforts to prove yourself worthy? Ask the Holy Spirit to enable you to rely on the finished work of Christ so that you are free to live all out for God.

Jesus, I honour You today for being willing to be the pioneer of my salvation. Thank you for suffering death so that I might live for eternity with you. I believe that by Your sacrifice I have been made holy and pleasing to God. That I am set free and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live as a new creation. Help me to live out of the finished work of the cross. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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