Hebrews 10:1-39
Friday, 20 January 2023
“Because Jesus Christ did what God wanted him to do, we are all purified from sin by the offering that he made of his own body once and for all.” –Hebrews 10:10[GNT]
The catch word in the book of Hebrews is “Better!” And our reading today explains how Jesus became a better sacrifice compared to those sacrifices for sin, offered in the Old Testament times. Such sacrifices were a stark reminder that they could never take away sin- it only made the people more conscious of sin! That’s why Jesus became the Perfect Sacrifice for sin, once for all!
John the Baptist had declared Him thus: “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Jesus was the “lamb without spot or blemish” (1 Peter 1:19) as He had no sin in Himself: “And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.” (1John 3:5). But every sin humankind has committed was put on Him in order that He could pay the PERFECT PRICE of sin through His death (Ref 2Cor.5:21). When the blood of bulls and goats could never cleanse the conscience of a sinner, every sinner who by faith accepts Christ’s sacrifice as sufficient, is washed clean in the fountain of the precious blood that flowed from the Perfect Lamb of God! Therefore we can “…draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience…” (Heb.10:22). What a privilege!
Still many today seek other means to deal with their sin—good works which they think will make God forget their sins; visiting holy sites, praying to “saints” thinking these dead venerated people can mediate for them; trying to temporarily push their sins “under the carpet” thinking it can be dealt with later on…..all these are no remedy for the eternal problem of sin which has to be dealt with in the right way for the right solution. Why would Christ Jesus leave the comfort of heaven and take on the life of an ordinary man, suffer all the shame and pain of being rejected and bruised and then willingly give himself to the most inhumane death on the cross, had it not been for freeing you and me from the punishment of sin we deserved? Could one take so lightly the sacrifice of Christ in exchange for those so-called works which can never save man from sin? Jesus Christ has dealt with our sin once for all on the cross—"It is finished!”, Jesus said on the cross. His blemishless blood paid the price for our sin.
What are you struggling with today, dear friend? Is sin besetting your life and you don’t know how to deal with it?- Look to the cross where its already dealt with! “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). Remember His blood was shed for the remission of sin! Nothing else can cleanse your conscience except His precious blood! He only can remove the guilt of your sin and set you into a life of freedom in Him! Romans 8: 1[AMP] says, “Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior].” Then you walk not in the desires of your old self but according to His Spirit who now lives in you! You are now on the right track, your conscience cleansed from dead works to serve a living God! (Heb.9:14)
To Act on: “Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].’ ~ Hebrews 4:16 [AMP]
Listen: 'Boldly I approach'