The Lord Jesus Christ is mightier than…mightier than whatever—you fill in the blank.
A couple of weeks of ago, I got a text that a family member was in the hospital. You know what I mean. The unexpected, drop of the stomach notification that makes the heart cry out…”Lord, are You sure this is suppose to happen?” Everything turned out just fine. But when I read that text, I had to remind myself that the Lord is mightier than whatever it was my relative was experiencing. Mightier than whatever the doctors are saying the condition is. Mightier than whatever the body is lacking or has too much of. Mightier than all of these. (Here’s a link to a song of mine, from about 2014 with this theme. Its based on Psalm 93)
I’ve been reading and listening to studies on Leviticus, the third book of the Bible. Leviticus focuses on providing a means for the presence of the most holy God to dwell with unholy men. In this, I’m learning that Christ is the ultimate and true fulfillment of those means outlined in Leviticus.
For example in Leviticus chapter 1, what is called the burnt offering was an animal sacrifice laid on the altar and totally burned twice daily. This was “an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the Lord” (v17b, NIV) The purpose of the burnt offering was to atone for – to cover men’s sin. [See also Exodus 29:38-43]
What I find so wonderful is that in all of the many sacrifices (including those other than the burnt offerings), Christ’s one time sacrifice is mightier than all of them combined. There were burnt offering sacrifices offered twice daily. Sacrifices offered monthly, literally sacrifices offered for hundreds of years. All of which only appeased God’s justice for that time because of what Christ would accomplish in His one time, perfect life sacrifice.
Men’s sin didn’t stop when Christ died however. We all know that. Since Christ’s death, there continues to be waterfalls of sin. But Christ’s death doesn’t cover that sin. Christ’s death actually purifies sin for those who place faith in Him. His death removes the power and penalty of sin. Christ is mightier and His death greater than my sin, greater than your sin. Greater than the combination of my and your sin together. Greater than the sin of the people of Leviticus who needed a sacrifice. Greater than the sins of the people in the entire Old Testament, New Testament and all of mankind. [Hebrews 9:11-14, 23-29]
What kind of life is this that can purify the ever continuing flow of sin? What kind of man is this that His one life is mightier than all sin of the ages. [Romans 5:20] Think how perfect and beautiful His life is to be able to do this. This helps us in understanding the Father when He said “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him (Christ) I am well pleased.” [Matthew 3:17]
When I think of what a perfect and beautiful life, I say in accord with the Father (and like Keith Green below)….this is my beloved Savior, whom I love: with Christ I am well pleased.