Our Great High Priest.

I've been reading through the Pentateuch lately and currently I'm in Leviticus. I have to say, Exodus was a lot better than I remembered it being. Moses is a rockstar... and I can relate to him a lot. Not that I'm a rockstar, but I can relate to a lot of his insecurities earlier in his life.... but anyway, that's not what I'm writing about tonight.

In Leviticus, I've been going through the 5 offerings: The guilt offering, the grain offering, the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering. As I've been reading these, and the regulations that the Lord required for the priests too, all I can think is that I am SO thankful I didn't live in this time... I would need so many goats!! But only two of these offerings are mandatory, three are voluntary; The sin and guilt offering are compulsory.

In ch 5 v 17 it says "if a person sins and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord's commands, even though he does not know it, he is guilty and will be held responsible." All it takes is just one to be guilty. So I'm reading through and trying to process the old covenant and what it meant to be a child of God... and I was just discouraged for them. What high standards God must have had! I'd be best friends with the priest making atoning sacrifices every day.

I'm only now in chapter 10 of Leviticus, but I couldn't take it any longer the other day. I had to get to the good news. I had to read ahead and go to Hebrews, to read of our Great High Priest who came for us in the flesh to be our living sacrifice once and for all.

Hebrews 4:14-16 says:
Therefore since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we were- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. [my emphasis added]

-and-

Hebrews 7:24-28 says:
But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always live to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets out need- one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.  [my emphasis added]

David Platt taught us it was okay to clap and shout when reading Scripture and I have to say when reading Hebrews 4:14 I just want to PRAISE Him that the veil was torn and we have access to the most holy place and HE intercedes for US to the Father. That is something worth clapping for.

So now when I read through Leviticus and realize just how imperfect I am - man who is weak, it makes me more thankful, give more praise, and more aware (if even possible) of what Jesus went through when he became the new covenant.

Tunesday Tuesday.

I heard this song last week at Saddleback Buenos Aires on my way out and was lovin' it.  Enjoy!

Tunesday Tuesday.

 Today, Lecrae's album comes out and he works with a lot of good artists on it! My favorite, Kari Jobe, does a song with him, but today I'm sharing a song that has a really cool melody. It's called "Messengers" and I hope you like it!

Out of Hiding.

I just have to share this song regardless of the fact that it's not a Tuesday. For anyone that's discouraged, in a rough spot, whatever it is.... please listen to this song. I love songs that are written/sung from the perspective of Jesus. And this is just one of those beautiful love songs. I heard it today on the treadmill at the gym and luckily I was pretty much done because I just had to slow down so I could close my eyes to keep from bawling right on the spot.

Breathe in, breathe out. And listen.

Come out of hiding
You're safe here with Me
There's no need to cover
What I've already seen

You've got your reasons
But I hold your peace
You've been on lockdown
But I hold the key

Cause I loved you before you knew it was love
And I saw it all, still I chose the cross
You were the one that I was thinking of
When I rose from the grave
Now rid of the shackles, My victory's yours
I tore the veil for you to come close
There's no reason to stand at a distance anymore
You're not far from home

I'll be your lighthouse
When you're lost at sea
And I will illuminate
Everything

No need to be frightened
By intimacy
Just throw off your fear
And come running to Me

Cause I loved you before you knew it was love
And I saw it all, still I chose the cross
You were the one that I was thinking of
When I rose from the grave
Now rid of the shackles, My victory's yours
I tore the veil for you to come close
There's no reason to stand at a distance anymore
You're not far from home

Oh as you run
What hindered love
Will only become
Part of the story

Baby, you're almost home now
Please don't quit now
You're almost home to Me

Tunesday Tuesday.

Tunesday Tuesday.

Today I am sharing my favorite worship song since moving here to Argentina. I am glad that, as far as I am aware, there is no English translation. Some songs are better just left in their own language. This one is called, "Al que está sentado en el trono" and the chorus basically states this:

To Him who sits on the throne

To Him who lives for ever and ever

Be all the glory, honor, and power

Be all the glory, honor, and power

You are holy, holy, holy

Holy are You

Jesus Wins.

A few weeks ago, on August 4th, a young man was shot and killed in broad daylight for his bike all because he intervened in a street robbery and was trying to help a victim. It was a really harsh newstory to watch and learn about. The young man only had 27 years and was going to work like any other day, only this time he had no idea what was in store for him.

Now, in this neighborhood, only 4.7% of the population is evangelical, so his death was your typical disheartening, what-are-the-chances-he-knew-Christ scenario.

Last Monday night I was in my weekly prayer meeting and one of the requests was for this young man's family, who was in town for a while. They are believers and had been contacted and just, as you can imagine, asked for prayer for them and the other family involved. There sprang a little hope that maybe, this man had not died without hearing the gospel message.

Well, today I found out that this week his parents, while staying in town for the legal matters surrounding his death, are taking time to do work for the kingdom. They are going to be standing at the corner where he was killed sharing the gospel and praying with people! Isn't that a beautiful picture?! This city is so broken, but there is hope. This family is a symbol of faith not shaken. If I had to guess, it's because they know they'll see their son again one day (yes, he was a believer!) and that God had a purpose in this.

I see the enemy winning so often in this city, but not on this one. God has taken this man's innocent death and is using it for His glory. To make His name known in the city. Jesus wins here. And, of course, Jesus wins in the end.