Our Freedom in Christ

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:7-10 ESV). The Gospel is easy to outline, though often difficult to explain. When I first began in the pastorate I used the following outline to concisely present the essentials of the message of God’s grace. It has changed little as the years have passed, although I have adapted it to fit the circumstance on occasion. It has five points: 1. This is God's world. 2. We have lost eternity. 3. God in Christ has sorted out our problem. 4. In Christ we may possess life eternal. 5. We receive God's gift of life through faith, which is a gift of God. The center of the gospel is the resurrection of Jesus and the consequent blessings that flow from this. The substance of God's blessing is his free gift of grace in Christ. “Because he lives we may live also." I sum this truth up with five sub points:  A new friendship with God.  A new life-style.  A new freedom.  A new community to be part of.  The hope of a New World. The second sub point in this gospel presentation affirms freedom. This is pure John Stott, in fact, he sees this as the central statement of the gospel, freedom from guilt, self and fears. I can't think of any better way of saying it, so I use it. This world cries out for freedom. In Christ we are offered the gift of freedom. Freedom from the dominance of self, of the psyche. Freedom from guilt and condemnation, forgiven. Freedom from the fear of judgment, loss, death. Of course, it is not just unbelievers who cry out for freedom. I believe Christians find themselves enslaved, as do unbelievers, yet the slavery is different. We are enslaved to our piety, to Sunday religion. Our reading this morning reminds us that Jesus functions as a High Priest. That is, he stands between God and ourselves and gains for us a right of approach to the throne of God. The point our writer wants to drive home to us is that Jesus has experienced all the limitations of humanity. He understands our weakness and identifies with it, for he was "tempted in every way as we are". He cannot be horrified by our sin. He has felt everything that we feel. The only difference between him and us is that he is "without sin." Therefore, we need have no hesitation to come before God's throne and cry for mercy. We don't have to ask twice for forgiveness. Jesus is a perfect High Priest. He is sinless and therefore, his sacrifice upon the cross did not have to be applied to his own sin, but could be fully applied to ours. In him is forgiveness, and in forgiveness there is freedom. Christ is the "source of eternal salvation" therefore we are eternally free. Trust in THE High Priest and celebrate your freedom today!