Sermon - Pentecost 25 - Hebrews 9:24-28

Hebrews 9:24-28
“A Great High Priest”

Some people seem to think that sin and forgiveness are just words. That they are ideas or concepts which are hopelessly outdated and irrelevant, even if they ever applied. For the unbeliever, God's law doesn't matter – each is a law unto himself. And so forgiveness of sins doesn't matter, because sin's not a problem.

And let's face it, even we Christians sometimes act as if we feel the same way. We act like sin's not something that matters, at least not all that much. Sure nobody's perfect, but no big deal right? We may acknowledge it when pressed, but does this inform our daily lives? Our reading from Hebrews today might make us think differently.

We don't know exactly who wrote the New Testament book of Hebrews. But we do know it was a letter written to Christians of a Jewish background. They would have been familiar with the priesthood of the Levites, the sacrificial system from the time of Moses, and all that went along with it.

Once a year, the High Priest would enter the holiest part of the Tabernacle. Only the High Priest could enter, and only once a year. And as he brought the blood of an animal which had been sacrificed, he would sprinkle some of it on the Ark of the Covenant. All this he did as a representative, on behalf of the people. And all this was according to God's explicit instructions.

So what was the point of all this? And what does this all have to do with you and me, who aren't ancient Israelites? Nor are we Jewish Christians from the first century. But we have one thing in common with them – the need for forgiveness, atonement, someone to make satisfaction for our sin.

None of the sacrificial system of the Old Testament was by accident. God was very specific in his instructions on what was to be done, and when, and how. It was, first of all, a way he provided the people to deal with their sins – to have the assurance that their sins were atoned for. Those sacrifices and rituals weren't just for show – they really counted! God so promised.

But they were more. They pointed to more. Hebrews says these earthly holy places are “copies of the true things”. That is to say, they drive us toward a greater and deeper reality. They are earthly copies of heavenly things. In and of themselves, the tabernacle and temple, the rituals and sacrifices, the priests and all the adornments provided – they are nothing. But they are not in and of themselves.

They were a foreshadowing of something and someone greater which was to come. Something more perfect and fulfilled. The priests, the sacrifices, the Tabernacle, the Day of Atonement... all of these were shadows of the salvation of God that came in Jesus Christ. The salvation that God had promised to Adam and Eve. The salvation he had prepared even from the foundation of the world, in his beloved Son Jesus Christ.

The Book of Hebrews goes to great lengths to show us that Christ is the great High Priest. He is the fulfillment and apex of all priesthoods. He makes the best and the most perfect sacrifice. A once-and-for-all-time shedding of his blood, a laying down of his life, for all the sins that ever were or would be. Christ the victim, Christ the priest, as the hymn puts it.

That Day of Atonement was a shadow of what was to come. When the REAL High Priest would enter the true heaven (as Jesus is now ascended there for us). And before God, he makes his case for us – he shows God the basis for our salvation. It's not the blood of a goat or a bull, but his own blood. “A sacrifice of nobler birth and richer blood than they”

No we're not ancient Israelites or early Jewish Christians, but we have the same problem of sin, and the same solution in Jesus. They could no more approach God without a mediator than we can. They needed a go-between, an intercessor. But even the High Priest could only do what he did on the basis of the coming Christ. All the blood of beasts, all the rites of priests, it all pointed forward to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Any forgiveness they enjoyed was won at the cross of Christ, and so too for us.

And Christ is far above the high priest. He is the true, the ultimate high priest. He is not a Levite, following in the footsteps of Aaron. He is a priest of the order of Melchizedek, of an entirely higher order altogether. The earthly high priest conducted his rituals again and again, year in, year out. But Christ died once, for all. Once, to deal with sin and death. Once for the sins of all people – not just the Jews, but the world.

You see, Jesus is the center of all history, of all Holy Scripture, and of God's perfect plan for our salvation. The creation was made through him, redeemed by him, and will one day answer to him. We confess in the creeds that He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.

It's why all this business of sin and forgiveness really matters. There will be a final judgment day, and woe to those whose sins are counted against them! God doesn't simply look the other way when it comes to sin. There is blood to be paid in this serious business. And for those that reject the free gift of Christ's blood, they have only their own to pay – eternal punishment and separation from God awaits. God does not mess around with sin, he is deadly serious about it.

But, we read here in Hebrews that, “Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” There are no second chances on that judgment day. Jesus has already dealt with sin. But for us who receive his gifts in faith, for the believer, his day of return is a day to eagerly anticipate. There is no fear for us whose debts have been paid, whose sins have been forgiven, for whom only life and victory await.

Sin brings death. And death comes once. For Christ, and for us. He died once for all, and we will die once in him. But just as he lives and reigns to all eternity, so too is our day of resurrection on its way, and our eternal life in him assured.

What a comfort to know that our great High Priest has shed his own blood to make us right before God. What a blessing to know that our Great High Priest has fulfilled all requirements of sacrifice by his own perfect death on Calvary. What a hope we have in his resurrection – that we too will conquer death through him, and live and reign with him for eternity. And what a promise that he will return at the appointed time to make it so, when his day of final salvation arrives, when he comes again in glory, and brings us home.

And while we wait for that day, we are not without help. He leaves us, but he does not. He ascends into heaven, but he promises “I am with you always”. It's true, by his word and Spirit. But it's also true in a very concrete way here today, at his altar.

Here, the sacrifice that was once given at the cross, namely the body and blood of Christ – is now given for you. The blessings were won and procured there, but here they are distributed to you. There, he suffered and died, completed our redemption and declared, “It is finished”. Here, he sustains you with himself, until that day when he returns to bring all things to fulfillment. So, no, this meal is not a sacrifice, as our Roman Catholic friends would say – we offer nothing to God. Jesus has already done it all. But it is a sacrament, a holy and blessed gift – that the Great High Priest keeps on giving, and that we receive according to his words – often, in remembrance of him, and for the forgiveness of our sins.

And now we're full circle. Back to the forgiveness of sins. The chief blessing of God given to his people, from which flows life and salvation. Forgiveness of sins, that great balm for the troubled conscience, that great source of joy and peace. Forgiveness, which we enjoy even as we forgive those who trespass against us. And all of this, from our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. To him be the glory forever and ever, Amen.

Sermon - All Saints Day - Rev. 7:9-17

"Who Are These, Robed in White?"
A blessed All Saints Day to you. Today we celebrate the fact that God's kingdom, here and in eternity, encompasses a great multitude of believers. Sinners who are made clean and holy in the blood of Christ. At that is the definition of a saint – a holy one. Lutherans are fond of the phrase, “sinners and saints” - that is, deriving from the Latin phrase, “simul justus et peccator”, simultaneously sinners and saints. That's here and now, in this fallen world, this vale of tears. We struggle with the flesh. We sin daily, and much. And while God sees us as righteous through Christ, even as holy – as saints – we have a hard time seeing it.
But St. John saw a vision – which he wrote down for us as the book of Revelation. And part of that vision is this scene from chapter 7 – the great multitude in white. As we look at the text closely, we get a beautiful picture of the church in her glory, and really, a glimpse of our own future. Let's ask and answer two main questions then, this morning, concerning the great multitude: Who are they? And what is it like for them?
Who are they? They are Us.
Who are these, robed in white? They are many – from all tribes and peoples and nations and languages: Texans and Yankees. Jews and Palestinians. Nigerians, Indians, Pakistanis, Australian Aborigines. Celts and Romans, Egyptians, Syrians and Singaporeans... and on and on and on. They speak English and Chinese and Pidgin and Swahili and on and on and on. Pentecost was a foreshadowing of this great multi-lingual, multi-national gathering.
You want to talk diversity? You want to talk universality? Equality for all? Here, before the throne of the Lamb, the church in her glory does what no government quotas or human initiatives could do – it brings together people from all these different origins – and makes them one in Christ.
Who are these, robed in white? They are from all times and places – they are the ancients and the moderns, they are the then and the now and those who are not even yet here. Your forefathers in the faith are there in that crowd. And the people who will believe who are yet unborn. And you. Look closely enough into the faces of that crowd and you will see yourself, believer. You'll also see the joyous faces of those you love who have died in the faith. Friends, family, church members. Those for whom the bells toll today, and all who have died in Christ and rest from their labors. On that day, in that great assembly, we are finally reunited. And yet this is only part of the joy.
Who are these, robed in white? They are clothed in Christ – washed in the blood. Their robes are washed because they were once stained and soiled in sin. They carried through life the filthy rags of a fallen flesh. You and I know the stench well. But sin has corrupted not just the outer garments, but our very nature. The heart is a fouled spring, and out of it comes all sorts of wickedness. And it's not just the things you do that add more stench and soil, it's the very nature you are born with. It goes back to Adam and Eve, who tried to cover their sin with fig leaves.
But now they are washed, washed clean, clean in the blood of the Lamb. Normally if you get blood on your clothes that's just another way to soil them. But this blood, this holy precious blood and this innocent suffering and death – they are cleansing of all sin, spot and stain. The blood of Jesus, shed at the cross, washes away sin as nothing else can.
Who are these, robed in white? They also share in the victory of Christ. The Lamb that was slain, but is now alive. The one who wins the day, destroys the forces of evil, and even death itself lies in ruin. Christ, risen from the dead, tramples all his foes and takes his rightful place in glory, seated with the Father. He is the Lamb who once was slain, but is alive forevermore. He is the Lamb who is at the center of the throne of God, there receiving the same praises. But who are they? They are with him. He's their champion. They are his people. He won the victory for them, that they might share in the spoils. And so they wave the palm branches in celebration. This is like the ticker-tape parade after a super bowl winning team comes back to town, or at the end of a world-war with all the soldiers returning home – but only better. For now, eternal peace begins. Now, all is well, forever.
Who are these, robed in white? They are the glorified church in song. They sing God's praises. They sing of the worthiness of the Lamb. They sing of his blessing, honor, glory and might. They sing along with the angels in a never-ending chorus of praises. This is no funeral dirge, it is a song fitting for the occasion – a victory song, a hymn of thanks and praise.
Who are these, robed in white? They are with God, in his presence, before his throne. They are therefore, by definition, in glory.
Who are these, robed in white, and where do they come from? They are those coming out of the great tribulation. That is to say, they are those who have run their course on earth in faith – with all of its ups and downs, all of its challenges and temptations, all of the griefs and pains, sorrows and sickness and persecution. All the trials are now behind them. They have come through it, and now they are here. This is the end of the story. And it is a very happy ending.
Who are these, robed in white? They are the church in her glory. They are the people of God. They are the faithful of the Old Testament. They are the believers of the early church and the middle ages and of modern times. They are your ancestors who believed in Christ, and they are your loved ones who have died in the faith. They are you and me. And they are all believers who will follow us, up until the last day and the fulfillment of all things.
What is it like for them? It is good. Just look at the benefits the church in glory enjoys:
Sheltered – they find their shelter in him who sits on the throne. Can there be any more secure dwelling than the presence of God himself? An earthly shelter protects you from what is outside – wind, rain, and cold. Robber and predator. But this is like no earthly shelter. No big bad wolf can blow it down. No time or termite can deteriorate these walls. No leak in the roof. They are sheltered by the presence of God. He is with them. He protects them. And they shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
No hunger or thirst – The wants of this life, anything that they might lack, even the most basic needs of food and drink – there, in that eternal shelter, the Lord provides eternally. The table is prepared for them, and the feasting never ends. They are always filled. They are never lacking. No needs, no wants, just the perfect provision of the king.
No scorching heat- The scorching noonday sun is here a marker for all that would make us suffer in this life. The toils and troubles of the day. The aches and pains of the body. The heartaches and sorrows of the spirit. The sun is relentless in its scorching heat, and it does not rest when you've had enough. Neither do the woes of this world seem to let up, but each day has enough trouble of its own. But not there. Not in the shelter of the king. Not for this great multitude that have washed their robes. The scorching heat is over. The troubles of life under sin are a distant memory.
Shepherded by the Lamb – they are not lost, they will never wander. They are always, always in the care of the Good Shepherd, who is also the Lamb of God, namely, Jesus. And he who cares for the least of the sheep in his fold, will never let even one be snatched from his hand. He will lead them beside streams of still waters, to green pastures, and they shall not want.
Tears wiped away – and perhaps one of the most tender and dear pictures of the bliss that is heaven, one of the best promises of God for his people, is this intimate picture: that God himself will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Like a loving parent that kisses a child's boo-boo. Like a warm embrace of that good friend who always knows just what to say. Like the comforting and strong presence of your go-to support in this life, but far, far more. That the God who created the earth and sea and all that is in them, that commanded the stars into existence and set them in all their precise and orderly motion. Who designed the multitude of life in all its variety. Who commands all the armies of heaven and knows all things. That this God would regard even you, stoop to comfort you, and wipe that tear, and every tear, from your eye. It is no small comfort.
But remember, this is the same God who sends us Jesus. And the same Jesus who suffers all, even death on a cross, for us. How will God, who spared not his own son, how will he not also do all of this for his people?
For we cannot consider the saints, the holy ones, without the Holy One of God. There would be no saints, no church, no white-robed celebration were it not for the one who was stripped and beaten and crucified for us, who shed his blood to cleanse our robes. Who gave his life over to death, so that death can have no hold on us. Who rose victorious and lives forever, to bring us that same victory, and is even now, preparing a place for us in that great multitude. Thanks be to him, for all the saints, who from their labors rest. And thanks be to him, who will welcome us there, to paradise the blest. Alleluia. Alleluia. Amen.