Lesson 9: The Cross Brings Renewal and Rededication
Question 1
Please read Joshua 8:30-35 in preparation for the lesson today.
Once the Israelites had achieved victory over both Jericho and Ai they had taken a significant portion of the promised land. One would think they might immediately proceed to the next battle, to conquer the next enemy, to capture the next territory.
Instead, what we see in this passage is the renewal of the Covenant that God made with Moses. This rededication of the people was done through sacrifice and through the reading of the Law. It was a “time out” where they stopped fighting long enough to worship and re-consecrate themselves to the Lord.
We can see that they offered two sacrifices as part of their renewal: the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, both teaching us the value of the once-for-all sacrifice of the cross:
The Burnt Offering: this animal sacrifice was to secure atonement or reconciliation with God. Its purpose was to point forward to the cross where Jesus Christ, through His death paid the full ransom for everyone who believes in order to free us from sin and death. “...that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). “The sacrifice bore the full punishment of God’s justice and judgment that was due the sinner” (Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible on Joshua 8:30-35).
The Fellowship of Peace Offering: this animal sacrifice was placed on top of the burnt offering, showing that once a believer is reconciled to God through the death of His Son He now has peace with God and fellowship with God. It’s important to know that our peace with God and our fellowship with God is based on the finished work of Jesus, not our own good works. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).
Question 1. Please read Hebrews 10:8-10. What does this passage say happened to you through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross?
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Karen writes, "We have been sanctified through the body and blood of Christ on the cross! It is finished! Jesus Christ was the perfect offering, who fulfilled the law. There is no need for any other sacrifice! Thank you, Jesus, for taking all my sin, for being the blood offering and atonement for me! May my life show my gratitude and bring honor and glory to you!"
Kelly writes, "In reading this, the word that jumps out at me is sanctified. I'm thinking this word means to be set apart. I'm sure this isn't an exhaustive meaning of this word. The sacrifices that were offered before Jesus came were tideous and unworthy to make true atonement for sin. That makes me think of all the ways I have tried to make up for my sins. Appease Gods anger for my wrongs and get on His good side. Yet no matter what good deeds(sacrifices) I offered I could not be set apart from my sins, quilt nor shame.
Hebrews 10:2[NLT] If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared.
Jesus came to be the one and only sacrifice that could do this for me once and for all. Through His shed blood for me I have been set apart from useless deeds to earn Gods love. I've been separated from my sins, my guilt and all my shame. The relationship that was broken between me and God has been restored. His blood has bridged the gap and I am now sanctified unto the Father."