SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 9:15-24 (NRSV)
The blood of the old covenant
For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant. Where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. Hence not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. For when every commandment had been told to all the people by Moses in accordance with the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the scroll itself and all the people, saying, "This is the blood of the covenant that God has ordained for you." And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
Thus it was necessary for the sketches of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves need better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.
Today's scripture reading puts me in the mind of a song we used to sing as children. The chorus said, "oh the blood of Jesus, it shall never lose its power!"
Indeed, Jesus' sacrifice upon the cross was a once and for all time sacrifice. Prior to Jesus' death, when sin was committed, the blood of animals had to be spilled. There was so much blood in the temples that it often flowed off the altar and into troughs where it flowed out of the sanctuary.
I don't know about you, but I am glad that I don't have to bring mammals and birds to church every Sunday to atone for my sin and the sin of my loved ones.
Jesus paid it all; his sacrifice was good enough to cover all past, present, and future sin. When we fall short of the glory of God, failing to love God and/or neighbor, it is the blood and love of Jesus that covers up the multitude of our sin.
When we have put all of our hope in Jesus, believing by faith that he died and rose again on the third day to save us from sin and gift us with eternal life, we do not need to fear judgment. Although we are certainly guilty of sin and deserving of a death sentence, God--the Righteous Judge--declares that our punishment has already been served by another!
Hallelujah!
Aren't you glad that Jesus was willing to pay the ultimate price to secure our freedom? Aren't you happy-glad that because he did, we will not taste death, but live eternally?
I pray that this feeling of great joy will spill out of our hearts and into the lives of everyone around us today!
Remember, READ good news. SHARE good news. BE good news!
Let's pray:
Eternal One, thank you that Love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save me from my sin and gift me with eternal life. I believe that your Word is true and that Jesus did die on the cross and rise again on the third day. Today, I am putting all of my hope in you. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit. I want to BE your good news in the lives of everyone that I meet! I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.
SPECIAL NOTE
If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! Let me encourage you to tell a Christian friend that you just put all of your hope in Jesus. Ask him or her to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand and to find a good Bible believing church where you can be baptized and make new friends who will walk with you on your Christian journey!
Congratulations and Happy Re-birthday! Your salvation is our GOOD NEWS, please go and share the GOOD NEWS with others!
I would be honored if you would take a moment to click “YES” in the upper-right hand corner of the good news blog in answer to the question, “Did God save you today?”
Thank you for reading good news as you are able and sharing good news as you are led. Go in peace, serve the Lord! (Thanks be to God!)
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