'We live by faith, not by sight’
On Sunday we looked at Hebrews 8 and we saw that Jesus has a GREATER ministry because he serves us in the true, eternal, heavenly tabernacle.
"We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being." (Hebrews 8:1-2)
Our experience of Christ, his ministry and our eternal salvation can sometimes feel distant especially when compared to the more tangible expressions of worship we see in the Old Testament and even in some Christian traditions today.
Quite a few questions came through about why doesn't God give us the 'Eden Park' experience? (If you're wondering about the 'Eden Park' reference you'll have to go listen to the sermon here).
I think there are two answers to that question.
First, do we want an 'Eden Park', tangible experience if it is ineffective and unable to bring us into a relationship with God?
As we read in verse 7, there was fault with that Old Covenant system because it was dependent on sinful humanity holding up their end of the bargain. Thus, despite the tangible experience, it is ineffective and ultimately unable to bring us into a relationship with God.
Secondly, even though it is by faith we receive Christ, his benefits and are welcomed into God's family, God does provide for us various tangible expressions and experiences of his grace to us.
Two key and connected experiences is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and him speaking to through His word. Add to this the sacraments of the Lord's Supper and Baptism as well as the gathering of God's people in fellowship in the church, prayer as we bring our concerns and requests to our Heavenly Father.
As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5, 'we live by faith, not by sight'. But that doesn't mean that God hasn't graciously given us many glimpses of his mercy to us in Christ through these various means of grace.
Grace & peace,
Andrew