I currently have the privilege of
attending a bible study where we are listening to the teachings of
Roger Price, a late bible teacher from England. Now for the next
month I would like to discuss one of the topics that he explained
to us. It stood out for me and I would like to share it with you. I
am going to add some of my own teachings, but the main message was
delivered by God through him.
He spoke about atonement and how
Jesus came to provide unlimited atonement once and for all time for
all people. He provided atonement for each and every sin. Yes, even
for the sins of unbelievers, if they would accept Him in their
lives and accept what He has done for them. Listen to this:
1 John 2:2 "He (Jesus) is the
sacrifice for our sins. He takes away not only our sins, but the
sins of all the world."
1 Timothy 4:10 "We work hard and
suffer much in order that people will believe the truth, for our
hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all
people, and particularly of those who believe."
So Jesus came for us all, every
single one of us, no one is excluded from accepting His saving
power.
Now the word atonement means
'kaphar' in Hebrew. And according to the Easton's Bible Dictionary
it means 'at-one-ment', making us one with God through
reconciliation. It is used therefore to refer to the effect which
flowed from the death of Christ.
And according to the International
Standard Bible Encyclopedia the word 'kaphar' means to 'cover',
'condone' or 'effect reconciliation.'
Interestingly almost the same word
is used to describe the tar with which Noah had to cover the
ark.
Genesis 6:14 "Make a boat from
resinous wood and seal it with tar, inside and out. Then construct
decks and stalls throughout its interior."
Now the word 'tar' or 'pitch' as
they use in the King James Version, is 'kopher' in Hebrew, which
according to the King James Dictionary means a thick, dark, sticky
substance.
However the Hebrew word is almost
the same as that used for 'atonement'. And this Hebrew word
according to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, means
covering or to cover.
In other words the ark was covered
with tar to protect it from the onslaught of the water. In the same
way Jesus came to cover us and provide reconciliation for us with
God. He is our covering, the One providing protection for us when
the onslaughts of life come. He is our shield and He pleads our
case with the Father. He covers us in totality so that when the
Father looks at us, He doesn't see us as sinful people, but He sees
Jesus, the absolute Righteous covering us like a soft blanket.
Over the next few weeks we will
continue this discussion, but for now know, you are covered with
Jesus' blood in totality and you are reconciled with the almighty
Father by what Jesus did on the cross.
Father God, thank you that Jesus
came to cover us, to protect us and to lead us on the path to
reconciliation with You. It is truly amazing and help us to make
the most of it and grow closer to You each day. In Jesus' Name.
Amen