Freedom

Can you hear it? Aretha Franklin belting out the word Freedom? I'm one of those people who seem to think of a song for everything, and while the rest of "Think" has nothing to do with this post, that small bridge of freedom has everything to do with it.

As Easter is approaching in just days, I've been wrestling with what the Easter story really means. I know that only through a perfect sacrifice could the payment of sin be made and it could only be in human flesh and only satisfied by the Son of God. I know that Christ's resurrection sets him apart from every other religious figure in history, but why? Why were the sacrifices in the Old Testament no longer "good enough"? Why did he have to come back from the dead? If his death and shedding of blood was all that was required, why did he have to go "via dolorosa" the way of pain/suffering?

Although many of these questions I still don't quite know the answer to, I think I have finally understood why the sacrifices were no longer sufficient. For the Israelites, following God was a list of do's and don'ts. They had no personal relationship with him. Only the High Priest could be in the presence of God and ask for forgiveness of sins. When Christ came though, he brought liberation, freedom and extended the gift of salvation to not just the Jews, but the Gentiles (everyone else). Have you ever thought about the fact, that if Christ had not come, and you are not Jewish, you would not have the hope of Salvation?

My favorite part of the story of Christ's death and resurrection is but a short line in chapters of the story, Matthew 27:51 "At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. " Why is this significant? It means that the barrier between God and man was not removed. The High Priest used to wear bells on his ankles and have a rope tied to his waist as he entered the Holy of Holies because if he entered with any sin in his life, God would strike him dead (and the priests would not be able to go in to get him without desecrating the place, thus the rope). Because of Christ's death, we can BOLDLY approach the throne of grace, and KNOW God! We don't have to be perfect to go to Him, just humbled and seeking forgiveness.

My prayer is that I may walk in the Freedom of Christ's death. I am no longer under the Old law, but have a New Covenant with Christ!