Once and for All

Hebrews 7:26-27 (NIV®)
Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.

From the time of Moses’ Tabernacle in the Wilderness until Jesus’ crucifixion, God commanded that, in order to make a sacrifice, you had to take it to the priest, who would prepare it and offer it to the Lord. But the priest was imperfect, too, so he had to first offer a sacrifice for his own sins before he could offer a sacrifice for your sins. Today, under the New Covenant, you don’t need a pastor or a priest, because you have an intermediary in Jesus Christ. He is your High Priest, and the Bible says He lives to make intercession for you. He paid a tremendous price so that we could have access to the throne of God—not only when we’re all cleaned up, but when we need cleaning up, too.

THINK ABOUT IT
The concept of the Israelites’ sacrificial system is lost to the modern Church. But it is worthwhile to consider what God required of His people for centuries until He provided the perfect sacrifice for sin through His Son, Jesus. What a provision for redemption Jesus is!

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for providing an unblemished and final sacrifice for my sins through Jesus. It cost You more than I can fathom, and I am grateful for Your loving and careful plan to reconcile me to You. I trust in His finished work. In Jesus’ name, amen.