Time of Grace With Pastor Mike Novotny

The old saying that time heals all wounds isn’t always true, especially in marriage. Wounds don’t go away with time; they often fester and become worse. Resentments arise. God tells us that his way is better: to remember who we are—his children, to change ourselves, and to be willing to show love first, just like God did when he sent Jesus for us.

Jesus promises that he will come again to take us to heaven. We are to believe it; through faith it is ours. As we go through life looking forward to what awaits us in heaven—emotional and physical healing, full access to God and his love, an eternity of loving service—we share that confidence in heaven with those around us. We are already marked with the name of Jesus; heaven is ours even now!

Jesus came to guarantee us eternal life, setting us free from the rules that kept us as spiritual children. Because of him, we are heirs of heaven—sons of God. We are now spiritual adults who live our lives for him.

The ark of the covenant was a symbol that represented how we are connected to and communicate with God. It represented God’s personal dwelling, and the atonement cover reminded the Israelites and us that only through the shedding of blood do we have forgiveness and the ability to approach God. Jesus fulfilled that shedding of blood once and for all, making us heirs of heaven.

The altar of incense in the tabernacle is a visual reminder to us that because of Jesus, we can approach God with our prayers. The incense rising to heaven shows us that all our prayers are heard—not a one of them falls to the ground unanswered. The smell of the incense also reminds us that we no longer have the stench of sin on us, but because of Jesus we are sweet-smelling to our God.

In the Old Testament, the lampstand and the light that burned every night inside the tabernacle represented God’s constant presence with his people. We too have that same assurance that he is always with us, shining the light of his grace upon us.

In the Old Testament, the altar in the tabernacle was the place where animal sacrifices were presented to God by the people. These sacrifices were meant to point the people ahead to the Messiah’s final and ultimate sacrifice for their sins. Without Jesus’ blood, there is no forgiveness. The sacrifices then and Jesus’ sacrifice now connect us to God because we know that we are forgiven and can enjoy our relationship with him.

This section of Scripture is a beautiful summary of the gospel. Jesus, who is completely God, made himself to be like us so that he could live, die, and rise for the forgiveness of our sins. When he comes again, everyone will bow in either terror of their judgment or in awe and praise. As we live our lives in anticipation of that day, we give him the worship and praise that he deserves.

God tells us in the Bible over and over that Jesus will come again and that those who do not believe will be judged. He showed his judgment on unbelievers many times in the Old Testament, and he will do the same when Jesus returns. We are to live our lives in readiness for Jesus, building up our faith, encouraging one another, and doing what we can to share the gospel with others so they too can be in heaven someday.