In Old Testament times, when an Israelite brought his sacrifice to the High Priest for inspection, the priest did not examine the offerer, but the offered. He checked the Lamb to see if it had any spots or blemishes, not the one who presented it. This, no doubt, is what Paul is referring to in Ephesians, where he pens, “He hath made us accepted in the beloved.”
Do you remember when Jacob was about to meet his brother Esau, who had promised wrath upon this one who had wronged him years previous? How Jacob, knowing he would soon face his elder brother, sent a gift ahead of him, hoping to satisfy Esau. For, said Jacob, “I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.” The book of Hebrews tells us, Jesus is our “forerunner,” that is, He went on ahead to present Himself to God on our behalf. Therefore, we never have to fear facing God’s.
In the New Testament, when the High Priest inspected Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, before He was placed upon the altar of sacrifice, the High Priest, unknowingly, but officially, declared Him approved for sacrifice. Or as Pilate said of this unblemished Lamb, “I find in Him no fault at all .” And no one else has or ever will, in time or eternity.
GLORY! GLORY! GLORY!
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