In today’s world, there are few things that are totally secure.
I’m Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and I want to share some Hope For Today with you about making your eternity secure!
Jesus, in the last hour of His freedom, declared the security seal of His new covenant with us. The Bible records His words in Mark 14:22-26 (NLT) … As they were eating [the Passover Meal], Jesus took a loaf of bread and asked God’s blessing on it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.” And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And he said to them, “This is my blood, poured out for many, sealing the covenant between God and his people. I solemnly declare that I will not drink wine again until that day when I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.” Mark 14:22-26 (NLT)
In the eating of this final meal, Jesus assures us that we can depend upon Him for our eternal life. As the final Lamb, Jesus secures our place in His presence for all eternity.
As the Lamb of God, Jesus offers us His body in our place. In these last minutes, as the clock ticked down to His betrayal and arrest, Jesus provides the ultimate assurance for His friends. Jesus was saying in effect, “This is the night of the sacrificial lamb. It dies in your place. However, tonight I will die in your place.” This sacrifice reminds us of John’s words when he first laid eyes upon Jesus: “Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
As the Lamb of God, Jesus offers us His blood for our sin. Just as the High Priest would take the blood of the sacrificial lamb and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat in the Temple that night, so Jesus would take His own blood as the Great High Priest and sprinkle it upon the Mercy Seat in heaven the next day. By doing so He offered a final sacrifice for sins for all who submit to His leadership and accept His forgiveness for their sins (Romans 10:9-10).
As the Lamb of God, Jesus offers us His promise for our future. In these final words to His followers, Jesus drops a great and powerful hint of hope. He says, “I solemnly declare that I will not drink wine again until that day when I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.” In the midst of this night of sorrow, there is the joy of the morning! Tonight He must pay the awesome price for our sin alone, but one day soon He will reap the joys of being reunited with His own. We will be with Him forever in Heaven!
If you have submitted to His leadership and accepted His forgiveness, His sacrifice made your eternity sure. Although painful and difficult, Jesus was returning to Heaven to prepare a place for us. When our place is ready, he will usher us into His joyful presence!
