A Covenant of Forgiveness

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
Living as God's People

Hebrews 10:11-18

The Message

 ^11-18Every priest goes to work at the altar each day, offers the same old sacrifices year in, year out, and never makes a dent in the sin problem. As a priest, Christ made a single sacrifice for sins, and that was it! Then he sat down right beside God and waited for his enemies to cave in. It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process. The Holy Spirit confirms this:

   This new plan I'm making with Israel
      isn't going to be written on paper,
      isn't going to be chiseled in stone;
   This time "I'm writing out the plan in them,
      carving it on the lining of their hearts."
He concludes,
   I'll forever wipe the slate clean of their sins.
Once sins are taken care of for good, there's no longer any need to offer sacrifices for them.

For Reflection
God decided that He would continue His covenant with Israel.  This time, however, rather than treating his people as a unit, He would extend the covenant to each on an individual basis.  The Christ event extended His covenant to all.  God resides in all of us.  Ask and He shall reveal Himself.  Listen tor his whispers.


Pray
that you will hear the whispers from God who resides in you.  Give thanks for his grace and forgiveness.  Remember to Him those things that He has done for you.