Lesson 6: A Humanitarian at the Temple
Art & Music That Matters
Before the Throne of God Above
Performed by Jason Waller
Song Lyrics
1. Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great High Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
2. When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.
3. Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,
One with Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!
Original words by Charitie Lees Bancroft (1841-1892), alternate words and music by Vikki Cook
©1997 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)
Questions to Consider
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Believers in Jesus don’t have to be afraid to stand before God’s judgment throne.
Although humans have no natural right to stand before a perfect and holy God, we are declared “innocent” and “free” in Christ. This song describes right standing with God in many beautiful ways. Take some of them to heart and mind and treasure them this day and always. Which one is your favorite?
God gave his Son Jesus to be our perfect, spotless sacrifice to hide humanity in his blood.
Illustrating Our Sin & Our Savior
Artwork by Chris Powers
For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.
Hebrews 9:24
Questions to Consider
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Having done all that was necessary to carry out his mission on earthy, Jesus now intercedes for us. The temple is no longer the place man goes to find intercession with God. In Christ, we have complete access at any time and in any place.
Sinful humans cannot come near to a perfect and holy God, but as we stand in Christ, we can approach the throne of God with great joy and confidence.
Jesus gives access to the presence of a perfect and holy God.
Artwork by Chris Powers
But this man [Christ], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.
Hebrews 10:12
Questions to Consider
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The sacrifice Jesus made on the cross made the payment required for all sins past, present, and future. The cross of Christ stands at the center of our hope for forgiveness, righteousness, and eternal life.
All people of all times and all places are sinners by nature and as such sin much.
Christ’s sacrificed paid for all sins of all time and in all places. Not a one is left out.
Artwork by Chris Powers
For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:24-28 ESV
Questions to Consider
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The Old Covenant temple dissolves around the cross because the work of Christ fulfills and replaces the work done in the earthly temple. The torn veil extends up and out of the physical temple and reveals behind it the heavenly throne of God because Christ passes through the “true veil” and appears in the “true holy place” to function eternally as our High Priest (9:23-24).
We needed a perfect, sinless sacrifice to pay for our sin and grant us access to God.
Jesus was the perfect, sinless sacrifice for us. As such, Jesus offered himself once to pay for all the sins of the whole world. He will come back again one day, and on that great and glorious day, he will save those who are eagerly awaiting his return.