Christ removed sin once and for all

For Christ did not go into a Holy Place made by human hands, which was a copy of the real one. He went into heaven itself, where he now appears on our behalf in the presence of God. The Jewish high priest goes into the Most Holy Place every year with the blood of an animal. But Christ did not go in to offer himself many times, for then he would have had to suffer many times ever since the creation of the world. Instead, now when all ages of time are nearing the end, he has appeared once and for all, to remove sin through the sacrifice of himself. (verses 24-26)

Read Hebrews 9:24-28

The one sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the sins of the world is the centre point of Christian worship. Through this sacrifice the forgiveness of sins is announced to those who are penitent and believing. This sacrifice is remembered each time holy communion is celebrated. When people are received as members of Christ’s church, they are baptised into the death of Jesus. When Christian people die and are buried, a cross or crucifix is usually placed on the coffin. The cross or crucifix usually occupies a central place in a Christian place of worship.

Yet the Christ who is worshipped is the living one. He is the perfect High Priest. In heaven he appears on our behalf in the presence of God. Not only does his sacrifice on our behalf guarantee us the forgiveness of sins but it also guarantees that God hears and is open to all our requests and prayers. We can confidently open our hearts to him and lay before him all our needs. If God is for us, and Christ’s sacrifice underwrites this, then we can survive against all our spiritual foes.

Because of Christ’s sacrifice for you, go trustingly and boldly into the tasks and situations of your daily life.

Christ, my Lord, I know I am precious to you, therefore I step boldly and confidently into my daily tasks. Amen.

Devotion by Kevin Schmidt from “Assurance for each day” (LCA, Openbook Publishers, 2004)

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