Daily Devotionals

Voice of the Lord

Devotional: 24th of Sivan

Yeshua suffered death outside the gate, in order to make the people holy through his own blood (Hebrews 13:12).

Did you ever wonder why Messiah had to go outside the gate to be crucified? In ancient times, you would never bury someone inside a Jewish city nor carry out an execution inside its walls. Criminals had to be executed outside the city gates. This is one reason Messiah was crucified outside the walls of Jerusalem.

But there's another reason. God purposefully decided that this most important event would not take place in heaven, on a throne, in a Temple, or inside the holy city; it would take place "outside the gate." Why? Because Messiah came to earth to save those who are outside—outside the gates, outside his mercy, outside his holiness, outside his love. That's everyone.

Therefore, if you are his disciple, you too must go outside the gate. You too must go to the sinners and to the rejected. Real love always steps outside the gate. This is why Messiah died outside the gate. Therefore, that is where you too must go. Go "out" to the outcast, to the stranger, to the despised, and to the lepers of this world, for Messiah died outside the gate.

So, in the Kingdom of Heaven, going "out" is the "in" thing to do.

...go "outside the gate" with the love of Messiah.

JC