Text: Ezra 3:1-13
Priest Jeshua and others rebuilt the altar on the foundation where Solomon’s altar once stood. The altar is a good place to begin worship. At the altar, the worshipper acknowledges that he is a sinner, meaning, that he has broken God’s laws and deserves the penalty of death. But God graciously provides for a substitute, an animal that symbolically takes the punishment instead of the person. And so, the penalty has been paid (justice), and the person is free (mercy) to come into God’s presence. Of course, for this symbolic substitution to be effective, it had to be done with understanding, from a heart of trust, of love, and of gratitude.
We do not use animals anymore, but this exact principle was accomplished for us by Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. If you acknowledge that you are a sinner, who deserves God’s just punishment, and if you trust that Jesus took your sin and punishment, when he died on the cross, then your penalty has been paid in full, and you are free, you will be with God forever. For this transaction to be effective, you must understand what is taking place, and you must trust the Lord Jesus, alone, with a heart of love and gratitude.
Meditate on verse 3. How are you going to apply it to your life?
Heavenly Father, the Lord of heaven and earth, in the name of Jesus Christ, help me seek Your face all the time. To the glory of Your name. Amen.