December 26th

Good Afternoon Meadowbrooke!

In Revelation 1:9-20, we are assured that Jesus is our advocate.  In fact, one of the great assurances we are given from the book of Revelation is this: Jesus stands as our High Priest. 

In the Old Testament, God established priests to represent Israel, offering sacrifices so that sins might be covered and forgiveness granted. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest alone entered the Holy of Holies to present a sin offering for the nation. Tradition held that he wore a long robe and a golden sash and entered with a rope tied around him in case he died from unconfessed sin. Year after year, the high priest served as Israel’s representative and advocate before God.

In Revelation 1:13, John witnesses Jesus standing among seven lampstands, dressed in a long robe with a golden sash across His chest. The lampstands represent the seven churches, and this vision reveals Jesus Christ in the role of our High Priest.

Notice where Jesus is standing—in the midst of the churches. He is not only the High Priest of the churches addressed in Revelation, but of the Church. More personally, He is the High Priest of your life and mine. He represents us before God the Father—not because we are good, but because He is faithful. He knows your heart, yet He stands on your behalf, not offering an animal on an altar, but offering Himself on the cross—bearing our sin, guilt, and condemnation once and for all.

Even when others judge you, criticize you, or when your own conscience accuses you—and even when the enemy fills your mind with lies—hold on to this truth, Christian: God does not condemn you. If your trust is in Jesus Christ, who stands in your place as the perfect sacrifice and your all-sufficient Savior, then every ounce of condemnation you deserved has already been placed upon Him. Romans 8:1 assures us, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” So you can stand with confidence and declare, just as Job did: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God” (Job 19:25–26, BSB).

Meadowbrooke Church is one of many lampstands in this world. Jesus stands in the midst of His churches, trimming the wick, breathing life into flickering flames, so that we might burn brightly for His glory among the nations. God invites us to take refuge in Him—and that refuge is found in one place only: the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Don’t forget that this Sunday is our 1 Service Sunday; I look forward to worshiping with you during our 9AM worship service. 

Grace, 

Pastor Keith