Sacrifice and Intercession of Christ

Imagine the governor of New Jersey appointing a citizen to represent the state to Congress in order to secure federal funds for state parks. The representative does not parade with a sign, or badger the President — he goes by appointed means. So Christ is appointed and given specific means by which to accomplish His priestly task.

Now, to clarify the question and prepare you for the answer, I want to use an illustration. Suppose the governor appointed a citizen of the state of New Jersey to represent the people of New Jersey before Congress with reference to the obtaining of federal funds for the construction of more state parks. If we were to describe this particular individual we would say, number one, by gubernatorial appointment he was taken from among the citizens of New Jersey. Secondly, he was appointed on behalf of the citizens of New Jersey.

10:49 - 11:31 Read in full sermon

The point: Refuse to find the details of Leviticus 16 wearisome — they show you what God required to keep you out of hell.

The people watch Aaron kill the bullock and catch the blood, then he takes the basin in one hand, the censer of coals and incense in the other, and disappears behind the veil. Out of sight he sprinkles the blood on the mercy seat — and only that presentation, not the killing alone, secured atonement.

And before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times. Now get the picture. Here the people see the priest take this bullock that is for himself. The animal is slain.

19:43 - 19:54 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Why did he have to make an oblation and then an intercession? Because the real thing was comprised of oblation and intercession, of blood shedding and blood presenting.

Pastor Martin holds his hand up so its shadow falls on the curtain. The hand is the thing; the shadow is just an extension of the real thing and is shaped by it. Old Testament priesthood is the shadow; Christ's priesthood is the substance — and the details of the shadow are determined by the form of the reality.

Shadows and things. Things and shadows. now what is a shadow well a shadow is simply an extension of a real thing here's a real thing here there's a shadow on the stage behind me as we saw last week these cross spotlights throwing two shadows there's a shadow all you kids can see it can't you on the curtain there can you see the shadows can you see the shadow the shadow is made because there's something upon which light is cast, a substantial reality. Without a substantial reality, you can't have a shadow.

25:09 - 25:49 Read in full sermon

Though Jesus hung naked on Calvary, He was not naked in His position before God. He was clothed with priestly garments. He was not the helpless victim of executioners — He walked regally to His altar and offered Himself in joyful obedience.

And though Jesus Christ hung naked upon Calvary's cross, He was not naked in His position before God. He was clothed with priestly garments as He hung upon that cross. He was not the helpless victim of the shenanigans of those apostate religious leaders. He was not the helpless victim of the power of the Roman government.

32:03 - 32:27 Read in full sermon

The point: Never separate Christ's death from His present intercession in your thinking; they are one priestly act with one saving purpose.

Which is more important when you breathe — inhaling or exhaling? Try doing only one for five minutes and you will be carried out. They are inseparable parts of one complex activity. So oblation and intercession are two inseparable activities of one priestly work.

Again, to clarify the issue, let me ask you, What's more important as you've sat there breathing over the past hour and 15 minutes? Inhaling or exhaling?

39:13 - 39:26 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Every blessing that comes to us as the people of God comes through the unceasing intercession of our great high priest at the right hand of the Father.

At the very moment Christ presented the virtue of His blood through the eternal Spirit, the Father took His finger and tore the temple veil from top to bottom. The shadow had to accord with the reality — the way had been opened in heaven, and so it had to be opened on earth.

Through the eternal spirit he is not upon the cross. He is before the veil of heaven presenting his blood. And the father is pleased. And so he takes his finger and splits the veil.

42:09 - 42:22 Read in full sermon