Jesus our HOPE and our Refuge
Psalm 9:9
"The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed a refuge in times of trouble"
1. WHAT EXACTLY DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU AND ME TODAY
HOW IS JESUS OUR REFUGE….
Nowhere it there a better picture of Gods grace to mankind than Num 35:6-7. And nowhere do we see the application of Jesus being our hope refuge than in the cities of refuge in the Old Testament.
We are told God Appointed six cities of refuge for the person who killed another person innocently
A detailed account is given in the rest of Numbers 35:9-28...Then again in Joshua Josh 20:1-9
Basically If you killed a man in anger the man's closest of kin (called the avenger of blood) could track you down and kill you. (an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth)
It was considered their sacred duty to do just that. Many an innocent man was killed because the avenger of blood didn’t really care if the party who killed his relative was innocent or not
But God in his mercy provided six cities of refuge for those who killed someone by accident
If you killed a person and it was an accident ….you could flee to one of 6 cities. You would be tried and found innocent. You would then stay in the city until the high priest died…and then be free to go
If you died before the high priest died your bones could be moved to the city you lived in but only after the high priest died
Let's take a Look at the parallel between these APPOINTED cities of refuge and JESUS our place of refuge today…and see how we find hope and refuge in Jesus
These cities were APPOINTED of God for a place of safety
JESUS WAS SENT OF GOD SO YOU AND I WOULD HAVE A PLACE OF SAFTEY TO RUN INTO
Jn 3:16 says for God so loved the world that he gave his ONLY BEGOTTON SON
John 6:37 says Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out
God said in Acts 5:31 "this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased…Hear ye him
Jesus was appointed of God to be our city of refuge.
YOU ARE NOT SAFE ANYWHERE…UNLESS YOU ARE RESTING IN GODS ONLY PROVISION…
…ARE YOU SAFE AND SECURE IN Jesus …If not there is good news for you…lets look on
These cities were sanctified…(That is they were set apart for the manslayer)
John 17:19 says
And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
You and I were manslayers in that we have sinned and come short of the Glory of God
And the wages of that sin is death…Spiritual separation from God..But God has made a provision for each of us
He has provided himself…the sacrificial lamb without spot or blemish
He is sanctified and set apart for us that we to might be sanctified throught the truth
The cities were all high up on a hill
They could be easily seen
Jesus was high and lifted up on the cross of Calvary…He can be seen easily
His love for you is so great you cant miss him
He said whosoever will could come….right now….right where you are
These cities were in convenient places
Three on The east side of the Jordan…(Bezar) (RamothGiliad) (Golan)
Three on the west side in Canan (Hebron) (Shechem( (Kadesh)
All conveniently placed…and high on a hill for all to see
A man could reach any one of these cities in only a 1/2 days journey
On one side of the Jordan Kadish was in Naphtali..the most Northern tribe
Hebron was in Judah the most southern
Sechem was in the middle about the same distance
Jesus is as near as your next breath…you don’t even need to wait 1/2 day
You don’t have to travel to some far away country….or city today
Right where you are you can find God's appointed city of refuge for you in Jesus
The manslayer was safe as long as HE OR She remained in the appointed city of refuge
The law says you are guilty
The law says you must die
Jesus says I am free and I can come to him and stay I n him
We have a city of refuge in Jesus today
The cities of refuge were open for all to come
Jews and strangers in the land could come
Red and yellow black and white they are precious in his site
The Gospel is for everyone
WHOSOEVER shall confess Him….we sing (Whosoever surely meaneth me)
WHOSOEVER believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life
Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out
IF YOU SHALL CONFESS YOU SHALL BE SAVED
Ho EVERYONE that thirsts let them come
To him gave all the prophets witness, that through his name WHOSEOEVER believeth in him shall receive remission of sins"
We say were in remission from cancer…..BUT ARE YOU IN REMISSION of your sins
BUT THE CITIES HAD TO BE ENTERED QUICKLY
II Cor 6:2 says Today is the day of Salvation...If a man or a woman didn’t flee to the city of refuge quickly they would surely die
Heb 2:3
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Some say but I have plenty of time..
I'll just wait till I have some fun first
Prov 27:1 says boast not yourself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
# every day people say I'll see you tonight…and never make it home
Some say but you don’t understand…I'm unworthy…Im not good enough
You will never be good enough
You can never improve your self
You'll never understand …you'll always be learning something new every day
# Don't understand electricity….turn on the light switch
# Auto mechanics….but turn on ignition switch
The cities were God' provision …but only for those who were sorry for their deeds
These cities were for those who were sorry for what they had done
Are you sorry for your sins …the wages of sin is death….
Have you transgressed Gods law ….
Are you tired of struggling along trying to do it your way
Do you want his provision of mercy today in your life
Jesus is available to you…he is easily accessible…He is waiting for you to run into Him
Whoever cometh to me …he said….I will in no wise cast out
You can search the world over and you will never find anyone who came to Jesus with a repenting heart that was cast out and told to go away
THINK ABOUT THIS
A MURDERER…NOW IS ASSOCIATED WITH A PRIEST
We who were guilty are now adopted sons……No guilt….no shame….associated with our fathers as a son….heirs and joint heirs with Jesus
NOW COMES THE EXCITING PART….YOU'LL WANT TO TAKE NOTES
Lets look at the names of the cities for just a moment and understand what they mean
The names of the cities will tell us what the application is for us today. We will see How Jesus is our hope and refuge
1. KEDESH (HOLY PLACE)
A refuge for the unclean
Sinners made righteous in Christ Jesus
I am clean…I am holy …only in Jesus Christ
A sinner saved by Grace I am Justified (JUST AS IF ) I never sinned
2. SHECHEM (SHOULDER) A REFUGE FOR THE WEARY
Are you weary today….He is a refuge for the weary
He said Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden I will give you rest
….Take my yoke upon you …its light…
3. HEBRON (FELLOWSHIP)
A REFUGE FOR THE HOMELESS
We are called into a fellowship….
4. BEZAR (STRONGHOLD) A REFUGE FOR THE HELPLESS
He is our strong tower for all who trust in him (strong tower….the righteous run into him and they are saved
5. RAMOUTH (EXHAULTED) REFUGE FOR THE HOPELESS
God hath exalted him JESUS
There is no name under the heavens whereby you may be saved except the name of Jesus
6. GOLAN (SEPARATED)A REFUGE FOR THE TEMPTED
Many are tempted day by day….run to Jesus and he will keep you separated from the world
You are sanctified (set apart for his service)
Holy unto the Lord....Many people knock a Christians holiness stand but the Bible says BE YE SEPARATE
•Come out from among them...BE YE HOLY AS I AM HOLY
Ye are a generation chosen to be a holy priesthood unto Jesus
Prayer:
Salvation…Jesus your place of refuge….saved from eternal death and eternal Hell
1. Run to Jesus Kedish (Holy place)
2. Run into Shechem…Shoulder…Jesus a refuge for the weary
3. Run to Hebron (Fellowship) a refuge for the homeless
4. Ramouth (Exhaulted) refuge for the hopeless
5. Golan (Seperated) a refuge if your tempted…He promised not to give you more than you could bear
