Christ Our Refuge

Introduction:

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of an issue that felt like it came out of no where and you wish you could get out of it? When I was in high school, I got in the only accident I’ve ever had an ended up totaling my car which really stunk. It was a big deal that came out of nowhere that I wish I could’ve turned back the clock to stop, but it happened and I had to deal with it. Well, if you’ve ever felt that way, you might be able to resonate with the people who we will be discussing this morning. And the reason is that a monumental and life-changing accident sprung up on them that resulted in their lives being radically changed. I believe that as we look at Joshua 20 today, we will find that we have more in common with these people than meets the eye and that for them, as well as us, we will see that God provides refuge for those in need.

The Closeness of Christ’s Refuge

If a citizen were to commit manslaughter unintentionally, he would be expected to flee to one of the 6 cities of refuge established for his protection from the Avenger of Blood. This avenger of blood was one who bore the responsibility of receiving justice for the murder of their loved one but, in return, killing the manslayer. (This was not a lawless redemption and did not allow the avenger to venture into the city of refuge nor seek retribution following the atoning death of the High Priest.)

Now, these cities of refuge were purposefully placed throughout Israel. The Bible tells us that there were three on one side of the Jordan and three on the other. The reason for these locations were that regardless of where you were in Israel, if you need refuge, you would never be further than half a day to a day away from them.

Just like the cities of refuge were never far from one in need, Christ is close to all who call upon Him.

The names of these cities seem to have definitional meanings behind them that could possibly point to Jesus. Two of them that stood out to me is Shechem which means “A Shoulder.” I believe that this reminds us of Christ who would come to bear our sins upon Himself that they might be carried away never to be remembered.

Another city was called Hebron which means “Fellowship.” I believe that this points to Christ who came that we might have fellowship with God and with one another in Himself.

So today, if you’re seeking refuge, call to Jesus. He bears the sins of men and through Him you can have fellowship with the Father.

Psalm 34:18

John 14:6

The Compassion of Christ’s Refuge

The condition of receiving refuge in one of those cities was:

That the murder was committed involuntarily.

That the manslayer fled to the city of refuge and plead his case.

This individual would be heard by the city and presumed innocent until decidedly guilty. If found guilty, the murderer would be sent back to his home city and delivered up to the avenger of blood.

If decided innocent, the refugee would receive protection inside of the walls of the city. If the refugee left the city, the avenger had grounds to kill them.

Now, if in your mind you’re thinking, “I haven’t killed anyone, so this doesn’t really apply to me.” You may be right that you haven’t physically killed anyone, even accidentally. But, you’re wrong if you say that you don’t need refuge. Have you ever hated someone in your heart or held a grudge against them? 1 John 3:15 says,

1 John 3:15 NKJV

15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

And if we lie to ourselves and go, “Well, I’ve never really hated anyone.” Then we have to deal with James 2:10 which says,

James 2:10 NKJV

10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

and Romans 6:23

Romans 6:23 NKJV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The reality is that we all need refuge because we have all sinned and the justice of God demands that we be held accountable and this text shows us just how much better Jesus is than these cities of Refuge.

In Joshua 20, Refuge was only given to those who accidentally murdered. But in Jesus, there is safety for those who have sinned even willfully. There is no safety outside of Jesus’s work, no salvation anywhere else. He is the only save haven that God has given to men, and He commands us all to run to Him. Are you tired of running? Jesus says, “Come to me all ye who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

The Case for Freedom in Christ’s Refuge

The only means by which the manslayer may leave the city of refuge and return home with no fear of retribution is upon the death of the High Priest. The death of the High Priest would be viewed as atoning for the sins of the manslayer and therefore would allow the manslayer to be free from his guilt.

It’s important for us to understand that while the manslayer was not guilty on intentional murder, he was still guilty of the death of another which resulted in the necessary death of himself. Here we learn that God clearly distinguishes when it comes to the nature of sins and provides differing punishments for these varying aspects of a crime.

In Joshua 20, the only way that the manslayer could safely return home to his inheritance, his family, his friends, and everything he’d ever known was through the death of the High Priest. It was this High Priest’s death that atoned for the manslayers sins and set him free.

Well, today there is freedom from all of the guilt that we have and it is found in the death of Jesus on our behalf. In Hebrews 7:23-27, we read that Jesus is the greater High Priest.

Hebrews 7:23–27 (NKJV)

23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.

And what is the inheritance that we have to go home to? It’s life as a child of God. It’s life in the light, living like we were made to live. True life, true joy, true freedom all found in Jesus.

What do we take away from this text today?

There is joyous freedom found in Jesus.

Hebrews 6:17–20 (NKJV)

17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

In this passage, the author has Joshua 20 in mind and states that the refuge of the believer is found in the ministry of Jesus as our great High Priest and that in this ministry, we have great consolation or great encouragement and peace.

We Shouldn’t Be Too Quick To Judge Matters.

We live in an day where mob justice is big, but that’s not the way of God. We need to be people who assume innocence until proven guilty and desire to way both sides before making a decision.

We Should Seek to Offer Relief to Those Around Us