Christ Died for the Individual

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15.
The most important part of the daily ministration was the service performed in behalf of individuals. The repentant sinner brought his offering to the door of the tabernacle, and placing his hand upon the victim’s head, confessed his sins, thus in figure transferring them from himself to the innocent sacrifice. By his own hand the animal was then slain, and the blood was carried by the priest into the holy place and sprinkled before the veil, behind which was the ark containing the law that the sinner had transgressed. By this ceremony the sin was, through the blood, transferred in figure to the sanctuary. In some cases the blood was not taken into the holy place; but the flesh was then to be eaten by the priest…. Both ceremonies alike symbolized the transfer of the sin from the penitent to the sanctuary.
Such was the work that went on day by day throughout the year. The sins of Israel being thus transferred to the sanctuary, the holy places were defiled, and a special work became necessary for the removal of the sins. God commanded that an atonement be made for each of the sacred apartments, as for the altar, to “cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.” Leviticus 16:19.
Once a year, on the great Day of Atonement, the priest entered the most holy place for the cleansing of the sanctuary. The work there performed, completed the yearly round of ministration….
The earthly sanctuary was built … according to the pattern shown … in the mount. It was “a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices”; its two holy places were “patterns of things in the heavens”; Christ, our great high priest, is “a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” Hebrews 9:9, 23; 8:2.
He appears in the presence of God, … ready to accept the repentance and to answer the prayers of His people.
The Faith I Live By p. 198
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Prayer Requests
—-Lou was able to talk a little more yesterday. Please continue to pray for her recovery. Eileen
—-Please pray that God will give A peace of mind and acceptance. Buck
—-I am facing a lot of mixed emotions. My pastor offended me today and I don’t know how to make the situation better. Jennifer
—-Please pray for Carter, age 6, who was attacked and beaten and may lose his left eye. Pastor Rich
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Dear Friends,
While reading Emma the story of Queen Esther out of the Bible Story books, I remembered an incident that happened in my Esther’s life.
When her big sister Eileen was a little girl, her favorite Bible story was Queen Esther. She loved to have me read the story to her or to pretend that she was the queen saving God’s people. When we had a baby girl, she got to name her Esther after that brave queen. Over the years, Esther grew to love the story of Queen Esther almost as much as her big sister did. The thought that God would take a poor little orphan girl and use her to save His people filled them with hope and anticipation. They wanted God to use them for some great cause whenever and wherever He willed.
Years passed and Esther was in college. One evening, while attending her colloquium class, a fellow student declared that Queen Esther was a power-hungry, grasping female who used her beauty for political gain. He accused this brave girl of doing many immoralities to “gain favor.” Esther was appalled! How could he say such things? (As I was reading the story in the Bible Story books I could see how he might have come to that conclusion.) Esther could not keep silent. She had to speak in defense of this great woman of faith. In no uncertain terms she explained to him the dangers involved had the king not chosen Esther to be queen. How Esther had not desired power but had been one of the many maidens whisked away from their home and family and gathered together by the commandment of the king who wanted to replace the former Queen Vashti. The fate of the girls who did not become queen was not a pleasant one.
How important it is the we, too, speak in defense of the truth. How vital that we “stand fast in the Lord” no matter what others may think or do. 1 Thes 3:8 There are many theories, many “winds of doctrine” that are as false as the opinions of the young man in that evening’s class. How can we know what to believe? “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa 8:20 We must compare all that we read, all that we hear, to the Scriptures. In them only do we find the true way. In them only do we have something to hold onto.
Our Dear Saviour prayed, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” The Psalmist declares, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Ps 119:130; 19:7-11
May we declare as did Jeremiah, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.” Jer 15:16 May we “study to show [ourselves] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 May we always speak boldly in defense of the truth is my prayer.
Rose