The Final Sacrifice for Sin

Living in Covenant

A Fulfilled Covenant

Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5) 

The New Covenant's Sacrifice

Hebrews 9:23-28 The Message

23-26 That accounts for the prominence of blood and death in all these secondary practices that point to the realities of heaven. It also accounts for why, when the real thing takes place, these animal sacrifices aren’t needed anymore, having served their purpose. For Christ didn’t enter the earthly version of the Holy Place; he entered the Place Itself and offered himself to God as the sacrifice for our sins. He doesn’t do this every year as the high priests did under the old plan with blood that was not their own; if that had been the case, he would have to sacrifice himself repeatedly throughout the course of history. But instead, he sacrificed himself once and for all, summing up all the other sacrifices in this sacrifice of himself, the final solution of sin.
27-28 Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences. Christ’s death was also a one-time event, but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever. And so, when he next appears, the outcome for those eager to greet him is, precisely, salvation.

For Reflection

Jesus sacrifice did not end sin. We, humans, still sin. Jesus sacrifice did not forgive sin.  God has always forgiven sin. Jesus offered his life to God as we should offer our lives.  Jesus has shown us the final solution to sin is for us to die to the impulse to commit idolatry.  The essence of sin is to worship anything other than God.

If we worship power, then we will stop at nothing to secure and retain control.  If we worship money, we will do anything to gain wealth.  If we worship ourselves, then we seek only self-serving ends.

If we worship God, then we will develop the character of God; creative, loving, forgiving, serving others as we expect to be served by God. By worshiping God, we seek the good in all things. By worshiping God, we reject self-determination and work as a God-confederate to establish the Kingdom that is the will of God. By worshiping God, we rest from the tempest of our lives and grow in Grace.

Pray

Pray so that your response to the sacrifice of Jesus will bring God's love, forgiveness, and Grace to all who interact with you.