Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
Hebrews 13: 11-13
13:11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13:13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
He Suffered Without the Camp—
As Adam and Eve were banished from Eden for transgressing the law of God, so Christ was to suffer without the boundaries of the holy place. He died outside the camp, where felons and murderers were executed. There He trod the winepress alone, bearing the penalty that should have fallen on the sinner. How deep and full of significance are the words, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.” He went forth without the camp, thus showing that He gave His life not only for the Jewish nation, but for the whole world (The Youth’s Instructor, June 28, 1900). {7BC 934.21}
Christ Died for All Mankind—
Christ suffered without the gates of Jerusalem, for Calvary was outside the city walls. This was to show that He died, not for the Hebrews alone, but for all mankind. He proclaims to a fallen world that He is their Redeemer, and urges them to accept the salvation He offers (The Southern Work, September 4, 1906). {7BC 934.22}
For God so loved the world that He sent us Christ Jesus, that the world may be saved. Christ Jesus did not come to earth for the Hebrews alone, He came for all humanity. Whether Jew or Gentile, Jesus came to this world and died for you, and for me. If only all of humanity heeded His words to return unto Him, for He has redeemed us. He is the way, the truth, and the life. There is only one way to heaven, and that is through Christ Jesus, King of kings, and Lord of lords. Believe in Him that you should not perish, but have eternal life.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
We thank You for loving us so much that You gave up divinity for humanity and came to this world to be our sin bearer, a surety of a better testament. Let us hearken unto Your voice that we may keep all Your commandments and hallow the Sabbath day, as the Sabbath was made for all humanity, Jew and Gentile alike. May we hold our peace, that You may teach us wisdom. Bring back the lost souls from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living, and let them consider all Your wondrous works. We love You with all our hearts and our souls. We thank You and praise You, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
