Jesus Carried Your Reproach so You Can Approach God

Set the scene...

God is speaking from Mount Horeb, reminding His children of all His commands. He is surrounded by flame and power, and the people are freaking out. In this scene, they tell Moses to be the go-between for them…

“But now, why should we die? This great fire will consume us, and we will die if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any longer. For what mortal has ever heard the voice of the living God speaking out of fire, as we have, and survived?

“Go near and listen to all that the Lord our God says. Then tell us whatever the Lord our God tells you. We will listen and obey."

Deuteronomy 5:25-27 (NIV)

The people recognize God’s holiness and power but want Moses to approach God for them.

Approach

The theme of approach is a central strand in the fabric of the Scriptures.

It starts with Adam and Even approaching God in close communion in Eden—before their sin causes separation (see Genesis 1-3).

You can trace the thread through God’s deliverance of Noah, Abraham, and then the people of Israel. They build a Tabernacle, according to God’s design, to approach Him in His holiness (only the High Priest can approach God’s presence behind the curtain, once per year, and on Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement).

In fact, most people in the Bible’s sprawling story never fully approach God’s presence. They may see a vision, talk to a divine messenger, or hear a talking donkey. But, never do they behold God’s face and His full glory—even Moses!

So, when we reach the New Testament, we see Jesus carrying our reproach so we can approach God.

In this hope, the Apostle Paul wrote…

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV)

When Jesus died on the cross, the Temple’s curtain was torn in half as a sign of God’s mourning and to show the way of salvation was open for everyone, for all time.

"...we see Jesus carrying our reproach so we can approach God."

We don’t need any person or place to mediate or to intercede for us, for all of God’s glory is found in “the face of Jesus.” As much as we love celebrities and charismatic leaders to help us feel closer to God, only Jesus can claim to be “the Way” to God.

So, here’s the good news…

In our wickedness, God approached us.

Oh, we’re just getting warmed up!

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