And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, "he sat down at the right hand of God," and since then has been waiting "until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet." For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds," he also adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:11-25)
Here November has barely begun, and the emphasis for many, is on the perfect gift. Member of the family are already asking what I want, and we're asking what our grandchildren want. Two of the grands have sent their wish list, and grandma and grandpa wish they were rich! This text above covers the perfect gift for all. It is a continuation of the discussion of the author of Hebrews in all that Christ has done for us. He begins by comparing the priests of the day, who day after day, offer again and again, the sacrifices that can never really take away sins. It was the job of the priest to receive from each person or family, an unblemished animal, offer it to God, kill it, and with its blood symbolically atone for the sins of that person or family. Jesus only had to do it once. His death and blood was the perfect gift. It took away the sins of the world, including the sins of you and me. "An assurance was given me, that He has taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from he law of sin and death." These are the words of John Wesley, the night he had his Aldersgate experience, when he felt his heart strangely warmed, and he realized that he was in relationship with Christ.
The passage goes on to stay that Christ now sits at the right hand of God awaiting the day when His enemies will become his footstool. And the Holy Spirit gives testimony to us saying that we are a part of the covenant which should bless our hearts and minds with the same assurance that Wesley had on that night. We belong to God; our sins have been taken away! This has begun a lifetime of a new way of approaching and interacting with God: A new life of worship, a renewed life of prayer, a new way of reading and understanding the Word of God, and all combined; a new way to live!
Our new life should be a constant provocation to all to do love and do good deeds to all people; meeting together, welcoming all, encouraging all; working together to bring new believers into our fellowship.
PRAYER: Loving God, renew me. Help me to live with that bold assurance that Jesus is mine, and I am Jesus'. This I pray in that precious name, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Prayer Update: I spoke with Rev. Gerald Harvey, and his wife's eye surgery went well! Her vision is safe and we thank God. But with all the stress of this, our brother Gerald has gotten shingles. He needs our prayers.
