Connecting Point: Recon Man

The Epistle of Hebrews demands attention from serious people in search of, God, eternity, and truth. Jesus is more than a Jewish invention of conflict. In fact, Jesus is given a distinction that surpasses anyone in history—high priest forever. In chapter six the author also describes Jesus as “our forerunner.” The Greek word prodromos best translates, I’m told to our “reconnaissance man,” a term that entered the conversation during the Napoleonic wars. In

essence, Jesus goes before us so that we in turn can follow him: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek,” (Hebrews 6:19-20).

Kids still play the game: “Follow the leader.” Primary teachers use it in

teaching trust for example. Someone was designated the leader and

everyone else would follow, through the bushes, over the fence, under the picnic table, jumping over the puddle or creek, etc. A Christian’s purpose is to follow after Jesus.

Before Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection under the Old Covenant

humanity's sins were atoned for under the sacrificial system, Jewish law

provided meticulous details on this practice. Priests would enter the

tabernacle and go behind the veil as a simple representative for God’s people to present specific sacrifices. Before entering this place these simple people (who truthfully were just like you and me) felt deeply in a state of elevation. God was there. Priests in turn would go through a routine of cleansing. They were men, subject to imperfection and sin. On the other hand, Jesus came to redeem all of humanity being completely perfect and untainted by sin. This is why he was and is the ultimate forerunner.

We are soon approaching another traditional holiday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, and the implications of these real events in history give us hope. Jesus entered the presence of God on our behalf being the once and for all sacrifice for sin. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was

reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God,” (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

This Biblical message is intended to be much more than just a mere tradition but a transformational life change for anyone who calls upon Jesus to be saved. We are made new because of what Jesus has done for us. Called

to be reconciled, we find Jesus, his instruction, and the only source for

eternal life.

Jesus is the forerunner. Christians pursue Jesus every second of every day. That, my friend, involves grit and tenacity. Pastor and author David Platt said, “The road that leads to heaven is risky, lonely, and costly in this world, and few are willing to pay the price. Following Jesus involves losing your life and finding new life in him.” Christ is our special Recon Man, adding sacrifice of self, surveillance, and going before us.