The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
Hebrews 10:1 (NIV)
Yesterday morning Wendy and I were in our closet putting away folded laundry that was stacked on our dresser.
“Doesn’t it feel like we just did this a few days ago?” Wendy asked.
“That’s because we did just do it a few days ago,” I laughed.
Laundry never ends. It is the liturgy of the ordinary. Things get dirty. They have to be made clean. Over and over and over again.
This is exactly the point the author of Hebrews is making in today’s chapter. The spiritual problem is the stain that sin had made on the human soul and the human condition since Eden. Through Moses, God prescribed a spiritual laundry system. The offerings and sacrifices that the Hebrews offered at the temple were prescribed to spiritually cleanse those making the sacrifices. But, like the laundry, it had to be done over and over and over again.
Until Jesus.
The author has already stated quite clearly in previous chapters, that the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross was a “once for all” sacrifice. God Himself doing for us what we, and the old sacrificial system, could never accomplish. He washed the stain away for good – clean forever.
Yet, there lies within this spiritual reality a mystery. There is an eternal spiritual reality that lies beyond our temporary earthly reality. The author touches on it in today’s chapter. He says that the resurrected Jesus has entered heaven’s eternal temple “and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool” (vs. 13).
Jesus said on the eve of His execution that the Prince of this World “stands condemned” (John 16:11). But, for the moment, the Prince of this World continues to carry out evil in this world. The readers of Hebrews knew this all too well. Even in today’s chapter the author recounts their suffering, their homes and possessions confiscated, publicly insulted, imprisoned, and exiled.
Why the delay? God’s desire for everyone to experience the eternally cleaned and forgiven Life that Jesus made possible. The author reminds his readers that the Day is coming when all will be made right, even though in the midst of their suffering it seems slow in coming. Peter explained to the same audience: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NIV)
There is a spiritual reality and an earthly reality. Spiritually I am graciously and mercifully forgiven forever, eternally cleansed from sin’s stain. Physically, I am a wayfaring stranger continuing to make my way through this world of woe. Thankfully, I have not physically or mentally suffered as the author’s original readers had. Nevertheless, I’m still subject to all of the woes of this sin-stained world that remains, for the moment, the domain of the Prince of this World.
Holding this eternal reality aloft for his readers, the author then encourages them in their present earthly reality:
Have confidence (vs. 19)
Draw near to God (vs. 22)
Hold unswervingly to hope (vs. 23)
Spur one another to love (vs. 24)
Buddy up and encourage one another (vs. 25)
Persevere (vs. 36)
The chapter ends with a reminder of the activating ingredient required to cling to eternal realities amidst our earthly woes: Faith.
In the quiet this morning, as my mind struggles with my own version of earthly woes, I imagine myself taping Ted Lasso’s “Believe” sign on the wall of my heart. Daily defeats don’t negate eternal victory.
As Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid. Just believe.”
If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.
