The Better Word of Christ

JBC 29:3 (2015): 69–71 69

We all know the feeling—a nagging sense of inadequacy, worthlessness and failure.

For some, it’s a mildly distressing, annoying, and distracting voice that hides just below the surface.

For others, this nagging sense becomes entrenched, persistent and loud—it becomes an oppressive and accusing companion, gnawing away at one’s identity.

Whether merely distracting or paralyzingly loud, this “voice” is one of the most common of human struggles. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Almost inevitably, if we spend enough time with someone, a person will tell us about this voice and how it impacts daily life.

Or, in the course of time together, we will begin to hear it through what the person says.

It’s reflected in doubts, fears and questions. Similarly, in my own life, if I am quiet for long enough, I hear the voice in my mind as well, accusing me in a similar way.

It clamors to have an influence and a say, seductively attaching itself to memories and feelings, people and places. I’m sure you know this voice too. It often sounds like this:

“You are no good.”

“You are a disappointment.”

“You are a failure.”

“You are gross.”

“You are unlovable.”

“You are beyond hope.”

Or maybe it sounds a bit differently:

“You are what you have done.”

“You are what others have said about you.”

“You are what others have done to you.”

When battling these voices, we can turn to Hebrews 12:18–24. We can study it in a detailed way. Or we can turn to the passage and read it out loud. But for tonight we will skip over most of the details and jump straight to the end—verse 24, that beautiful last phrase:

But you have come to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

I know this is not a commonly used passage, so let me explain.

The verses leading up to this one faithfully follow the thematic flow of the book of Hebrews.

They highlight and laud the superiority of Jesus in every way: comparing and contrasting the old covenant to the new, the provisional to the complete, and most importantly, the hopeless to the hopeful.

The author compares frightening Mount Sinai to welcoming Mount Zion.

Punishment and dread contrast with the joyful gathering of the saints. A terrifying encounter with a God whom we dare not approach contrasts with the joyful, inviting, immanent God.

But, most significantly, the passage concludes by sharply contrasting the word spoken by the blood of Abel to the word spoken by the blood of Christ.

This is the keystone that holds everything in this passage together: the blood of Christ and the word that he speaks is better.

But what exactly does that mean?

It is referring to the story of Cain murdering his brother Abel in Genesis 4.

Here God says to Cain, “the voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground” (Gen 4:10).

The “word” Abel’s blood speaks reminds Cain of his sin. It speaks in a damning and ruthless voice. The blood of Abel identifies transgression and condemns.

That same voice can echo in your ear and speak of your sin.

It can be in the background noise in your mind and incessantly tell you something damning about who you are… or who you are not.

But the blood of Christ speaks a much different word. It speaks of grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

He tells you who you really are—a beloved brother or sister, a treasured member of God’s family.

And his word is the final word, the better word.

When you deal with this type of oppressive and accusing attack speak truths like this to yourself...

Tell yourself...I’m aware that there is a haunting voice in the background of how you understand yourself. I want you to know that there is more than one voice speaking. The other voice might not be as loud right now, but it is still there. And this other voice says something very different from the one that haunts and accuses.

Remind yourself that....Because you cling to Jesus, his blood speaks a better word on your behalf. His blood speaks a better word about who you are. Jesus’ blood proclaims a different message about you, and it is not a message that you need to be afraid to hear. It won’t ask you to perform. It won’t tell you that God is angry or disappointed with you. Rather, it is a voice, a word, that speaks a message of God’s grace and mercy that is for you. It speaks a message that God delights in you, forgives your sins, and will make you perfect when you stand in his presence.

Speak the truth that we understand that it’s hard to make out the sound of this voice, because the old, familiar, damning one rages and screams and pounds. And I know that it seems incomprehensible that this voice would be one of delight and welcome to you. Rest assured the voice of Christ is there. And it is true. And it is true for you.

Encourage yourself that the goal isn’t to pretend that the loud, pounding, accusing voice is not there. The goal is just to make room for another voice, however soft, however unlikely it feels. We want to make room for the one who speaks a better word. It might be hard to even recognize this voice if you don’t know what to listen for.

So be reminded to tune your ear to Christ’s voice. You will know it’s his voice when you hear something like this:

“Do not be afraid. I am with you.”

“You are cherished and loved.”

“You are forgiven and rescued.”

The hope is that, over time, these better words will become more discernible and more familiar.

We face these condemning so we come to the understanding of the better way...The mercy that is an act of great compassion and a necessary foundation for growth in Christ. We need to be tuned into that voice

Yet, for most of us, real change is slow. Accusations and lies do not die quickly. These nagging, ruthless companions are often buried deep.

But the Spirit redeems, restores, reorders, and heals in mysterious and unpredictable ways. (Romans 12:1-2)

And the journey always starts with hearing the life-giving word of Jesus, which is always a better word.