Made Holy Through His Blood

Hebr 13:12-15 - "12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

1) It is unusual to speak about suffering on a joyous occasion, but His suffering is very important. When God created heaven and earth and the stars, it was a great event. But the greatest day was when He died for us.

Example:

In central Africa a man had a revelation of Jesus carrying a heavy burden. He thought that Jesus was carrying the sins of the world and said to Him, "Lord, You are carrying the sins of the world!" "No, I am carrying yours", Jesus replied. It cut to his heart when He realised that Jesus carried his sin.

Yes, Jesus did carry the sins of the whole world - John the Baptist said in John 1:29, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!".

Have you ever seen that Jesus is carrying your sins, not just the sins of the world, not just the sins of your neighbours and those whom you criticize and find fault with? If not, you are a Scribe and a Pharisee. The day you realize that Jesus has carried your own sins, things will change and you will stop being busy with other people's sins.

Let us remember today that Jesus hanged on the Cross because of you and me.

The prophet Isaiah spoke the words of the Lord in Is 43:24, "you have burdened Me with your sins, you have wearied Me with your iniquities". When Jesus hung on the Cross, He suffered because of your sins- even the sins that you enjoy and carry on with and cling to.

Even such a joyous day is worth nothing if we don't start with the Lord's suffering. Jesus drank that cup of our sins, He was cursed for your sake and mine.

From the 6th to the 9th hour darkness covered the face of the earth - the sun could not bear seeing its Creator being put through such a disgrace of carrying our sins.

Hell itself and the darkness of hell, the very forces of hell, surrounded Him. Never in all the history of mankind before and after has there ever been such an event where the Son of God bled and His precious Blood flowed because of our sin.

After He had gone through that battle which was like no battle before, He cried out, "It is finished!" Finished with that battle of your sin - or are you still continuing in your sin?

In Hebrews it says that we crucify Him afresh if we continue in our sins. If you sin, lift up your eyes and you will see Him carrying your sins.

2) He suffered outside the gate. So let us go to Him

Outside the gate were the lepers, criminals, the immoral, the drunkards. It was there where His Blood flowed. His Blood was spotless, blameless, not defiled, the Blood of the Holy Lamb of God.

Never forget the passion of our Lord.

"Let us go to Him outside the camp": Let us go out to Him and say: "Lord, I am the one who put the nails through Your Hands, I put the crown of thorns on Your Head through my sins!"

3) We are pilgrims in this world

We are not here permanently. We don't know how long we will live until He calls us home. This is just a temporary dwelling.

Abraham is our father in the faith. He stayed in tents, didn't build a house, to remind himself that he was just here temporarily. Our real home is the one in heaven built by the Lord. Abraham was a rich man but he stayed in tents. It is difficult to live in a tent, even more than in a mud hut - it gets hot, it gets cold and wet. Prepare yourself that you will be ready when He calls you. Woe to you if you haven't prepared your life.

Don't be a fool by letting your roots go deep in the things of this world. This world just passes by.

4) Praise and thank God

If your life has been made right by His suffering, you cannot stop thanking and praising Him for what He has done for you. You will sing His praises for giving His last drop of Blood for you.

"... that He might sanctify the people with His own Blood". Have you been sanctified and cleansed, washed from your sins?

Isaiah the prophet said in Is 61:10, "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."

The bride is dressed in a snowwhite dress, by that testifying that she has not been touched by any man - pure, a true virgin.

Today be sure that you have been cleansed by the precious Blood of the Lamb so that you will be ready to meet your Heavenly Bridegroom. Test and search your lives and see whether there is anything in your life, past or present, which won't stand the test when He comes.