Jim Gallagher

Joshua 20:5
“Then if the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not deliver the slayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor unintentionally, but did not hate him beforehand.”

Many of the cities throughout Israel were designated as “Cities of Refuge.” This meant, if a person accidentally caused the death of another, he could flee to one of these cites for protection from the revenge of the victim’s devastated family. The rules governing these cities were simple. If death was caused accidentally, the guilty could flee to the city, and remain safe within its borders, until the death of the reigning High Priest. After his death, the crime was completely forgiven and the individual was free to return to his normal life. This law was designed to curb vengeance, but also serves as a picture for us of the work of Christ.

The Bible declares, there is a haven where the guilty sinner can run, in order to hide from the vengeance of God. That place is in Christ. We are told, all our sins are covered by His blood, and because of the cross, we will not face the judgment of God. Just like the Cities of Refuge, the death of Christ, our High Priest, provides complete atonement for sin. Unlike the Cities of Refuge, we can hide in Christ for accidental, as well as deliberate sins.

No matter what we have done wrong, we can flee to Christ and be forgiven. As we hide in Him, the wrath of God is appeased, and we are given a brand new start.

Come to Christ today. Ask Him to forgive you of your sin, and to transform your life. There is life found in Jesus you will never find anywhere else.

Pastor Jim