Hebrews 9:23-28 NIV
“It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
Hebrews 9:23-28 NIV
Who are you waiting for? Can you think of anything more exciting than to wait for Jesus to come take us home in His glory. But ours isn't a passive wait. Jesus gave us a commission to take His story to the whole world and call others to join with us in following Him. So by the power of the Holy Spirit we wait in expectation as we share Jesus' good news with passion and as we live with the character and compassion of the Father. Jesus came to earth some 2000 years ago. God, taking on human form. Born into this world to a peasant girl. He lived among us for maybe 33 years. And then was crucified on a Roman cross. Three days later He rose up from the grave, conquering death. He sits now at the right hand of God. And His followers look for Him to return some day. But why did He do this? The author of Hebrews tells us here that His death was a sacrifice. A sacrifice that would take away sin. Jesus was the perfect lamb who could, once for all, wash us clean of our sin. His sacrifice was one of atonement. His sacrifice was to take away the sins of many people. 1 John 2:2 tells us that He was the atonement for the sins of the whole world. But in a special way for believers, for those who accept Him as savior and Lord. And He is returning a second time. This time it is not as a sacrifice. It is not for the world. He is returning, bringing salvation, for those who are looking forward to His return. We rightly say that we have been saved. But that salvation is not complete until He returns for us, taking us to be with Him forever. There are many things in life that we look forward to. But which of them are better than Christ’s return for those who are his own. Christ now appears for us in God’s presence. He has constant access to God. Christ represents us, prays for us, and accomplishes what we could never do. You have the great High Priest ministering on your behalf. We are not depending on a high priest on earth who annually visits the holy of holies in a temporary sanctuary. We depend on the heavenly High Priest who has entered once and for all into the eternal sanctuary. There He represents us before God, and He always will. The work of Christ is a completed work, final and eternal. On the basis of His completed work, He is ministering now in heaven on our behalf. As believers, we have much for which to be thankful. Jesus Christ purchased our redemption, removed our sin forever, restored us to fellowship with God the Father, advocates for us in heaven, and has promised us an eternal inheritance at His Second Coming. Hallelujah, what a Savior!!!
Father thank You for this day and that Jesus is with us always to comfort and help us. Lord open the storehouses of Your abundant blessings and let them fall upon my friend and family today. Lord thank You also that You our heavenly advocate, and that having finished Your work of salvation on our behalf, is now interceding in the heavenly sanctuary for us. Lord may Your Kingdom come in all its fullness and every knee bow to You as Lord. Lord use my friend to love others as You love them unconditionally today. Daddy we love you amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !!
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