Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
As presented on *The Lutheran Hour® by Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, March 8, 1959.
In Old Testament times, God made His presence known. He was in the cloud that followed Israel by day and in the pillar of fire that watched over the people by night. The glory of His presence could be seen about the tabernacle whenever the people made camp.
Inside the tabernacle, beyond the sanctuary and in the Holy of Holies, was the Ark of the Covenant. This sacred object symbolized the first agreement God had made with His people based upon the law requiring ceremonies and sacrifices, all of which reminded the people of their constant dependence upon God and His mercy. The Ark was covered by a lid that was sprinkled by the High Priest with the blood of the sin offering. On each side of the lid stood figures of the cherubim, their wings outspread, casting shadows upon that sacred spot in the center of the lid where the blood was sprinkled. That spot was called the Mercy Seat.
There is a mercy seat, a place of mercy for all, and that place is Calvary, the cross of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. At the cross of Christ, God made it evident that He dwells no longer in a place but a person. When Christ said, “I am the Way and the Truth, and the Life,” He was not just being mystical or metaphorical. He was saying that from now on He would be the exclusive way to God. Here men would find mercy. The cross offers forgiveness and life to all. It knows no color, no language, no creed. It knows only divine love.
God, we confess that we have done evil in Your sight. Cleanse the stains of our failures and remember us for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
Taken from A Message of Hope: Proclaiming the Cross (selections from messages broadcast on *The Lutheran Hour, celebrating 75 years of proclaiming the promise).
Copyright © 2006 by Lutheran Hour Ministries
*The Lutheran Hour is the longest-running Christian radio broadcast in the world. It is a production of Lutheran Hour Ministries. For more information, visit www.lutheranhour.org.
Today's Bible Readings: Numbers 3-4 Mark 12:28-44
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