Sabbath: Jesus Opens the Way Through the Veil
Image © Pacific Press
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Hebrews 9:24; Exodus 19:3-4; Hebrews 12:18–21; Leviticus 16:1-2; Hebrews 10:19–22; Colossians 3:1.
Memory Text: “For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us” (Hebrews 9:24, NKJV).
When the disciples returned from the Mount of Olives, right after Jesus had ascended to heaven, they were filled with joy and triumph. Their Master and Friend had ascended to a position of power over the world and had invited them to approach God in His name with the absolute confidence that God would respond favorably to their prayers (John 14:13-14). Even though they continued in the world, attacked by the forces of evil, their hope was strong. They knew that Jesus had ascended to prepare a place for them (John 14:1-3). They knew that Jesus was the Captain of their salvation, and that He had opened a way into the heavenly homeland through His blood.
The ascension of Jesus to heaven is central to the theology of Hebrews. It marks the beginning of Jesus’ rule and the beginning of His High Priestly ministry in our behalf. Finally, and more important, Jesus’ ascension marks the moment that the new covenant, which provides the means through which we can approach God boldly through faith, has been inaugurated. It is our privilege now to approach God with confidence through Jesus and the merits of His righteousness.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 5.
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The book of Hebrews has one main recurring theme. "Up until now, we have been looking at the picture book. Now we are experiencing the real thing!"
Picture books are useful and can describe lots of useful ideas, but nothing beats the experience of being there and taking part in the reality.
C A Coulson understood this notion. He is the scientist credited with giving us our modern understanding of molecular orbitals. He was also a committed Christian and wrote one of the most influential books in my reading experience, "Science and Christian Belief" One of the illustrations he gives is the story of a new Physics Lab he was responsible for at London University. It had to be built underground, which meant that it was difficult to picture beforehand. They had to be satisfied with looking at two-dimensional blueprints and try and imagine from that, what the real laboratory would look like. The relief was palpable at finally being able to go into the labs and walk through them in reality. They no longer had to depend on the now-fading blueprints; they had the physics lab and could use it.
In many respects, the sanctuary services were a two-dimensional picture of salvation, but now that Christ had died, the picture was no longer necessary. We were experiencing the real thing. Something to think about as we study this week's lesson
Hi Maurice,
You have some of the best object lessons that make the lessons clearer. You should write an object lessons book. I always look forward to these lessons.
Yes, Jesus opens the 'Way' through the 'veil'. As Heb.10:20 clearly states, this ‘veil’ is His body(flesh). I want to make sure that we see Christ Jesus' giving of His flesh and blood willingly is not simply part of a ritual, but that His whole Life, laid down willingly and the following resurrection, represent the proof of the re-creating power inherent in the Love of Christ Jesus for His Father as He determined to live according to His Father's Will.
Our Savior transfers this special, self-sacrificing Love for the Father to all who believe Him and want to walk in this self-same 'Way of Faith'. He has shown to all the world that by Loving the Father and living according to His Will, holds the power of our salvation - entering ever-lasting life.
Heb.10:19-22NKJV points this out clearly: ”Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by(through) the blood(LOVE) of Jesus, by a new and ‘living Way’ which He consecrated for us through the veil, this is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, - faith in that our hearts have been sprinkled(cleaned) from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (paraphrased)
Col.3:1NKJV – ”If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are(from) above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.”
Christ Jesus promised that He will send His spirit, offering His spirit to all believers who desire to live like He has and manifest the spirit of the gifts of heaven in their lives.
1Cor.13 1-13; … v.13: ”And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Hello Brigitte,
Your citation of Colossians 3:1 is important because it is in this passage (Colossians 3:1-17) that the apostle Paul provides us with the practical outcome of being fully identified with the Messiah, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
In the sanctuary ritual animal sacrifices, the suppliant placed his hand on the head of the animal, signifying his complete identification with it—his oneness with it. (Leviticus 1:4; 3:2, 8, 13; 4:4, 24, 29, 33.) It is not coincidence that at the last supper, Jesus prayed:
He prayed this just before his antitypical “once for all” sacrifice that preached the Gospel to those delivered from forced slavery to the Pharaoh of Egypt, that is, the Adversary.
It is through this incredible display of Love on the cross that the Son and his Father call to our hearts to be one with them in resurrection to a new life that glorifies God (Colossians 3:1-4), in putting to death all the idols that separate us from God and each other (Colossians 3:5-11) and in living lives that glorify God (Colossians 3:12-17).
It is by continually practising this singular focus on the Love of God in his Christ that we are perfected to their glory. (Hebrews 12:1-2.)
Hi Brigitte and Richard
If I may 'join a seat at your (conversation) table', for what it's worth, I believe (and find) there is solid biblical support for the points you are raising - and that these points are very central to the reality of redemption.
Thank you. That succinctly points to what Hebrews has been saying to us. What does the covenant mean in a practical way for you and I today. The high priest made his sacrifice now what. You have put this whole lesson in perspective for me. “Singular focus” on Christ in whose life I am hidden will result in oneness with Christ and Colossians 3: 1-17 will be a reality for me. Thanks again
Approaching God with faith & confidence...living in this sinful world. Truly, this is where the rubber meets the road in our christian experience. Keeping the imagery of the promises in John 14 1-3, and constantly seek Him, will help us with the frictions.
Great study ...
The macro and micro temples ..1 Corinthians 6:19-20 is the micro
Adam lost the spiritual (walk/Union) with God. Through the second Adam we are united with the Spirit of Sonship to be a perfected son in the kingdom of the Son of his love.
Shalom in abiding Christ, a priestly blessing to You. !