Eagerly waiting
by Dianne Eckermann
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Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him (Hebrews 9:28).
Read Hebrews 9:15-28
The readings from Hebrews for this week have been exploring the traditions and rituals familiar to both the Jewish and Christian faiths, showing how the sacrifice of Jesus has established a new promise, a new life and a new hope.
Today’s reading finishes with another new promise – the promise that Jesus will come again. Most importantly Jesus, having shed his blood already for the sins of many, has no need to offer further self-sacrifice. He has already dealt with sin and so those who wait for his return can do so eagerly, knowing that God’s mercy has already been offered to ‘those who are eagerly waiting for him’.
We can understand eager anticipation. Whether it is looking forward to a special holiday, planning a celebration, or a small child counting the sleeps to a birthday, we have all been there. No matter how exciting these events might be, they pale when compared with the time when Jesus will appear a second time.
Jesus is not absent from our lives while we wait for him. As explained in verse 15, Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant, a covenant that could only be implemented through his death, just as a will cannot be invoked until the death of the person who created the will. Therefore, while we may eagerly wait for Jesus to come again, we do not have to wait for forgiveness or redemption. We also do not need to make sacrifices for redemption as described in Old Testament rituals as that ultimate sacrifice has already been made on our behalf. The events of Christ’s death and resurrection, so recently commemorated at Easter, were not just for that time but are still at work today and will be tomorrow and into the future.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Heavenly Father, we thank you that Jesus is with us always to comfort and help us. We thank you also that he is our heavenly advocate. Amen.
Dianne has served in Lutheran education as a teacher, school leader and system leader at Lutheran Education Australia. Now retired from full-time work, she continues to volunteer on several committees and as a school board member. She lives in the Adelaide Hills with her husband, Robert, and is in strong demand as a babysitter for her three grandchildren.
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