Winston Smith was my advisor throughout my doctoral project. He was always very encouraging and kept his comments short and grace-filled. Therefore, on those few occasions when he had a word of correction or something to suggest that I add, I always took it seriously. Winston has a way of perceiving things that isn't stereotyped, usual, or status quo.
In this excerpt from Heart of the Matter: Daily Reflections for Changing Hearts and Lives, Winston encourages us to get a mental picture of the freedom and rest that Jesus experiences and that we can share in.
FREEDOM
Hebrews 10:1–14
Feel the futility of it. In the Old Testament, the priests of Israel were required to offer daily sacrifices to atone for sins. Hebrews points out that the fact these sacrifices had to be performed over and over for hundreds of years shows that they were ineffective in removing sin (Hebrews 10:1–2). Let the language of these tasks being “endless” and being required “year after year” make you tired.
But when Jesus comes, acting as our high priest, he makes a sacrifice of his own life and body that pays the debt once and for all. “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12). Jesus, unlike any other priest, completed his work and was able to sit down. Like his Father in Genesis 1, Jesus sits because his labor for us is perfect and complete. In other words,
“It was very good.” Because Jesus rests, you can rest.
Jesus’ death and resurrection embody the promises of Sabbath. His work is perfect; complete. He has redeemed us from our sin. By trusting him and obeying his words and his Spirit within us, we are no longer slaves to our corrupted nature. We are free to be God’s children. His resurrection is a picture and promise of the new life we have now and will have forever when Jesus returns and we are resurrected as well.
Winston T. Smith, Reading for April 17, 108
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