When this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice
for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12).
Our passage yesterday delineated one of the differences
between the sacrifices offered under the Mosaic Law and the perfect sacrifice
of Jesus. The High Priest carried bull and goat blood with him as his entrance
requirement into the Most Holy Place. Jesus needed no such animal blood; he
entered the presence of God by virtue of his own shed blood. Whereas Old
Testament sacrifices were symbolic, his sacrifice was the real thing – what the
symbols pointed to.
Today’s reading points out another difference. We know
animal sacrifices had to be repeated over and over again, because they were
insufficient to remove the guilt of sin. Certain sacrifices were offered every
single day. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious
duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take
away sins (v. 11). Though a priest’s work was never done, notice Jesus’
next move after offering his perfect sacrifice: He sat down at the right
hand of God. He could rest
because his work was done. The plan of salvation was complete. His sacrifice
never need be offered again.
The work begun in a manger was completed on a cross. This
should make more meaningful for us Jesus’ declaration: It is finished (John 19:30).
TODAY’S MEDITATION
Give thanks that Jesus
accomplished what a thousand years of Mosaic sacrifices couldn’t.
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