Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
11 “So Christ has now become the High Priest over all things that have come. He has entered that great, perfect sanctuary in heaven, not made by human hands and not part of this created world. 12 Once for all time He took blood into that Most Holy Place, but not the blood of goats and calves. He took His own blood, and with it He secured our salvation forever. 13 Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ritual defilement. 14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our hearts from deeds that lead to death so that we can worship the living GOD. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered Himself to GOD as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.” ~ Hebrews 9:11-14
Through His death, Christ freed us from the slavery of sin forever. Though we know Christ, we may believe that we have to work hard to make ourselves good enough for GOD. But rules and rituals have never cleansed people’s hearts. By Jesus’ blood alone (1) we have our conscience cleansed, (2) we are freed from death’s sting and can live to serve GOD, and (3) we are freed from sin’s power. – If any of us – at any time – are carrying a load of guilt because we are finding that we can not be good enough for GOD, we should take another look at Jesus’ death and what it means for us. Christ can heal our conscience and deliver us from the frustration of trying to earn GOD’s favor.
When people sacrificed animals, God considered the people’s faith and obedience, cleansed them from sin, and made them ceremonially acceptable according to Old Testament law. But Christ’s sacrifice transforms our life and heart and makes us clean on the inside. His sacrifice is infinitely more effective than animal sacrifices. No barrier of sin or weakness on our part can stifle His forgiveness.
“That is why He is the one who mediates the new covenant between GOD and people, so that all who are invited can receive the eternal inheritance GOD has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.” – Hebrews 9:15 – People in Old Testament times were saved through Christ’s sacrifice, although that sacrifice had not yet happened. In offering unblemished animal sacrifices, they were anticipating Christ’s coming and His death for sin. There was no point in returning to the sacrificial system now that Christ had come and had become the final, perfect sacrifice.
Jesus, You are High Priest over all things. You have entered that great, perfect sanctuary in heaven where You took Your own blood, and with it You secured our salvation forever. Thank You! We know that when we are feeling as though we are not good enough for GOD, You can heal our conscience and deliver us from the frustrations of trying to earn GOD’s favor. Because of You, Jesus, our conscience is cleansed, we are freed from death’s sting and now we can live to serve GOD, and we are freed from sin’s power – forever and ever! Hallelujah!
Photo: Part of the Saint Anne de Beaupre Basilica complex (Quebec, Canada)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
