An Inadequate Substitute (Part 1 By Allen Bowers)

One method of improvising during this period of social distancing has been virtual communication. For example, instead of weekly staff meetings, my office has weekly video meetings over Skype. The past several Sundays, our church has met over a video conferencing software instead of our normal, in-person congregational worship service. And tonight, my family and I video chatted my parents.

None of this is necessarily new. When sick or traveling, I have participated in the livestream of a church, my family regularly video chats both my parents and wife’s parents, and I typically communicate with my coworkers over the internet. So, during this time of social distancing, why does virtual communication seem so inadequate?

There are many psychologists, sociologists, and counselors who could provide a litany of reasons, but suffice it to say, we as humans intrinsically feel that we were made for more than just virtual relationships. There is no substitute for real, genuine, in-person interaction. And when virtual communication becomes the primary mode as opposed to simply a supplement to personal interaction, its inadequacies are amplified.

As we embark on Holy Week, the inadequacy of virtual communication reminds me of another inadequate substitute regarding atoning for sin. You may ask why humans need to atone for sin at all? The problem with sin is that it separates us from the holy, perfect, and righteous God and ultimately leads to eternal death apart from God (Romans 6:23). In order to pay for our sin and avoid eternal death, God ordained a sacrificial system involving the blood of animals that was shed for the sins of the people. Hebrews 9:22 states that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” The problem, however, is that this system was inadequate.

We see the inadequacy further down in Hebrews 10:4 where the author states “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” This should lead us to two questions. First, why did God set up an inadequate system? Second, if the blood of animals does not atone for sins, what does? The answers to both of those questions are focused on one Person, Jesus Christ.

Hebrews explains that the inadequate system of animal sacrifice was actually a foreshadowing of what was to come (Hebrews 10:1). It was never meant to provide atonement, but rather point the way to the One who can provide atonement. Hebrews 9:13-14 states “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” Where the blood of goats and calves was inadequate, the blood of Jesus was perfect. Jesus took on the sin of humanity at the cross and made atonement for sin with his blood.

Though animal sacrifice is not common in our culture today, we still offer many inadequate substitutes to God in an attempt to atone for our sin. So often we rely on the lie that we are a “good person.” We try to do the right things, try not do the wrong things, and do our best to help others. But even the best of us falls woefully short. Romans 3:23 bluntly states “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” It is only through the blood of Jesus that we can atone for our sins.

How are you atoning for your sins? Are you covered by the blood Jesus? If so, are you living in that truth? If not, today could be your day of salvation. Romans 6:23, which was referenced earlier, states “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Though it cost Jesus everything, it’s a free gift to those of us who would receive it. In the words of the classic hymn by Robert Lowry:

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.