The pivotal point

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 25,26)

Read Hebrews 9:15-28

Many people can think of a pivotal point in their lives. Everything before it led to that event and everything since has flowed from it. Maybe it was their wedding day, their confirmation, their graduation, a personal triumph, maybe even an accident or family tragedy. It was the one moment which gave meaning to or influenced all the rest.

There is a pivotal point in the history of the world. All things before led up to it. All things since have flowed from it. That moment was when Jesus, the Son of God, came to live on earth and to suffer and die for the sins of the world. He did it once and for all. Before he came, God’s people had to offer regular sacrifices for their sins. Since he came, they only need to accept in faith his suffering and death on their behalf.

And that’s the whole point!

Dear God, I thank you once again for sending your Son to save the world, once and for all. Amen.

by Richard Hauser, in ‘New Strength for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1998)

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