Study Desk

Because of this, Jesus is the only one who can save us by leading us straight to God. Jesus lives forever in order to show us the trail that leads to God. Not only does he lead us to God, but he vouches for us when we get there.

Unlike the old trail, sacrifices are no longer needed every day. The sacrifices on the old trail were for the trail bosses' sin first, and the followers second. But Jesus didn't need to offer a sacrifice for his sin because there was none. However, he did offer himself as the sacrifice for us because we are sinful.

The Law made men high priests, but they were still weak. But now, after the promise God made, Jesus is our priest and trail guide who absolutely leads us to perfection.

From his spot, he leads the worship in the true house of God, not one built by human hands, but built by God himself.

But God knew his people wouldn't be able to follow the old trail, and really, that was the whole point. That's why he said, "There's a day coming when I'll shake hands with the people of Israel and Judah and show them a new trail.

But this is the new agreement I'm going to make with Israel and Judah. I'll write my code on their hearts and brand it into their brains. I'm going to be their God and they're going to be my cowboys.

Watching over the ark were some angels with their wings covering the place of mercy. But listen, all of this has been lost now and so we can't go into more detail than that.

We can still see some remnants of the old way in the first part of the tent. People bring their offerings and sacrifices, but it never cleanses their guilt or their soul.

But Christ came riding in as the last high priest, the final trail boss. His way is good and better for all of us. He didn't go through a tent to get to God, he was one with God.

The blood and ashes of animals could cleanse someone's body, but not their soul.

But the blood of Christ washes us all clean, inside and out. By the power of the Holy Ghost, Jesus offered himself up as the final sacrifice and cleansed our consciences from the sorry deeds we've done. Now that we are free and pure, we can ride for the living God.

Moses taught us that blood could cleanse nearly anything. But the wage of sin was death and something had to die to take the sinner's place in death. Without blood, there can be no forgiveness of sin.

Now the things down here were just copies of what was really happening in heaven. But the real deal in heaven couldn't be cleansed with animal blood. A better sacrifice was needed.

The high priest had to offer sacrifices every single year with blood that was not his. But Christ didn't have to go into heaven every single year and offer himself as a sacrifice again and again.

Jesus died once and then took away the sins of the world. No need to do it again if it was perfect the first time. Jesus is going to come riding back, but it won't be to save us from sin, he already did that. He will come riding over the hill again to take his cowboys who have been watching for him back home with him forever.

Let's look at this. First, Christ said, "You didn't want more animal sacrifices or more sin offerings. You didn't want a burnt offering or any other kind because they couldn't get the job done." They were still required by the code of Moses, but that was just to hold down the fort until Jesus could come in and save the day.

Under the old code, a man of God would stand before the altar and do the same thing again and again and again, but it never took away one sin.

But our Man of God, Jesus, gave himself as an offering to God one time and it took sins away for all time. When his job was done, he got to sit down at the right hand of God who is on the throne of thrones.

"This is the new code for my people says the Lord, it's not written on stone this time, but in their hearts and on their minds."

You lost friends and jobs, but you still found time to help others who were suffering.