(4) This is the special work of Christ. He bridges the gulf which sin has created between God and man. We have access into the grace of justifica- tion through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, wliom God hath set forth to be a propitia- tion through faith in His blood (Ro 3=«- ^S). The double alienation from God and His Church dis- cussed in Ephesians is removed through Christ — by His blood (2'3), by His flesh (v.'-'), by His Cross
The steps whereby access was effected by Christ are clearly laid down in 1 P 3"*. His death has a connexion with sin. He suffered once for all (airai), ' so that to them who lay liold on Him this liolds sure, that sin is never to be suffered for in the way of strict justice again, as not by Him, so not by them who are in Him' (Leighton). The unique significance of Christ's suffering in connexion with sins is expressed in the words 'the just for the unjust' (Skoios iirip dSiKui'). In dyin§, the right- eous One took on Himself the liability of the unrighteous. Access to God was, va St. Peter's estimation, thus purchased at an unspeakable price. 'A righteous One has once for all faced, and in death taken u]! and exhausted, tlic responsi- bilities of the uiiii'.;hleoiis, so that they no more stand between them and tiod ' (l)enney, The Death of Christ, p. 102).
The autlior of Hebrews explains and illustrates by a method sid generis, how Christ obtains access for us. Christ is the great High Priest interceding for men in the heavenly sanctuai-y, and the function which He discharges in heaven is based on the death which He died on earth. A priest's duty is to establish and represent fellowship between God and man. Christ found that sin barred the way to this fellowship, and accordingly dealt with sin. He was ap)3ointed with a view to this end— to make propitiation for the sins of the people (He 2"). In contrast with the Levitical iniests and their duties, Clirist's Person and work are perfect (T^Xeioj). He deals with sin by way of sacrifice. This He did once when He offered up Himself (7"). 'Once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by tlie sacrifice of him- self (9-»). 'Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many' (v.^^). 'For by one offering he hath perfected for ever [' to perfect,' TeXeioui/, ' is to bring into the true condition of those in covenant'] them that are sanctified' ['to sanctify,' d7idfet>', ' is to make to belong to God,' Davidson].
Associated with the same conception of sacrifice are tlie references in the Epistle to the blood of Christ. He entered into the Holy Place by (Si6.)
ACCOMMODATION
ACCOMMODATION
15
His blood (9'2). The blood of Christ, who offered Himself to God, purges the conscience from dead ■works (v."''). We have boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Christ (lO"). Access is therefore dependent on Christ's Person and work. In reliance on His sacrifice (10'''), along a way con- secrated by His deatli (v.-"), mindful of their High Priest (v.-') in heaven, believers are exhorted to clravj near to God. The exhortation in 4'" to come boldly unto the throne of grace is also foinided on Jesus having passed into the heavens as our great High Priest : and it adds the thought of Christ's sympathy, as having experienced infirmities and temptations Himself, in order to encourage sup- pliants for mercy and grace. The truth put hor- tatively in these passages is also taught directly in 7^, where access is linked with intercession. This intercession, of which an example is preserved in Jn 17, is continued in heaven, and derives its power from the sacrifice which Christ offered on earth.
(5) Faith is the subjective condition of those who have access (Pio 3-'* 5-, Eph 3'-). ' He who comes to God nmst believe that he is' (He 11'^). The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is a record of faith in action, faith as illustrated in the lives of saints, who first came to God, and then acted and endured, because sustained by the strength of God.
The' Deati
ACCOMMODATION
i. The Incarnation as <a) The birth and (i) The temptatit {c) The mental and spiritual yulf erinj^:
'.j'pusaur, 4lli series [ISilUJ, D. A. MACKINNON.
e example, of Jesus. Ho was subjected.
xperienced by
Incidents inferentially valuable
Him of the
life.
(c) Revelation of these limitations involved in the spontaneity of His attitude towards (1) His fellow-men, (2) His Father, iii. Jesus' activity as Teacher.
(o) Repeated assertions as to nature of the authority
wielded by Him. (ft) Objective of His message defined by (1) the national characteristics of His fellow countrymen ; (2) their theolotfical and traditional beliefs — (a.) Messianic kin^'dom. (/3) Doctrine of an^el-mediation. iy) Current conceptions of the power of Satan and of evil spirits. (c) Methods employed by Jesus in His teachins; : (1) parables purposely and economically utilized ; (2) use of popular fljjurative expressions; (3) employment of aphorism, allegory, etc. ; (4) ac- ceptance of current conceptions as to — («) Natural phenomena. (/3) Anthropology. IV. Attitude of Jesus towards the Messianic hopes of His day. (a) Assumption of the title ' Son of Man.' (ii) Attitude towards the Jewish Canon of Scripture observable in His acceptance of (1) its general historicity ;(2)the traditional view of the author- ship and intei-pretation of Ps 110. v. Summary and practical conclusion. Literature.