Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC
Hebrews 10:1-14
10 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,
“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
but a body have you prepared for me;
6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings
you have taken no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,
as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”
8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
A few years ago, over Christmas break in college, I had the chance to go and watch my old high school football team play in the 6A Texas State Championship Game. The game was held at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, where the Dallas Cowboys play. If you have never been to the stadium, it legitimately is like the eighth wonder of the world. The stadium is unbelievable. What was neat about the experience, besides watching my old high school play, was the cool policy the stadium had regarding watching high school games. Tickets to enter the stadium were $20 but with that $20 you could watch all five of the games happening that day. One time payment of $20 granted you access to all five of the games taking place that day. What a deal!
Hey friend, I have some good news for you this morning: I know of a deal that was much better than the deal I described above. The Son of God offered Himself as a sacrifice for sins, and listen, it was a one time payment that opened up all the grace of God! In Hebrews, it describes the Old Testament covenant and the ways in which the people of Israel dealt with sins. The Israelites were required to offer animal sacrifices year after year, and that sacrifice atoned for the sins of that year. However, animal sacrifices could not provide a permanent solution for sin. That is where Jesus stepped in. According to the will of God because of His love for us, He sent Jesus to be the all sufficient sacrifice for our sins! Through His physical sacrifice, we can be made right with God again. Because of His sacrifice, we no longer have to offer animal sacrifices year after year. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was sufficient for us once and for all! Hallelujah! What a deal!
Sometimes I need to be reminded of the reality of the Gospel, don’t you? Understanding the reality of Jesus’ sacrifice is crucial to the Gospel. Listen, the truth of Jesus’ sacrifice, the fact that it was the only permanent solution to our sin problem, is the reason why He is the only way to God (John 14:6). That is why our good works is not enough to get us into heaven. That is why following the teachings of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Mormonism, or other religions cannot get you into right standing with God. Jesus is the only way, because He was the only sufficient sacrifice for mankind once and for all.
So what does this mean for us? What does this look like? Today child of God, reflect on His love for you. It was because of His love that He sent His son to die for you and I. Listen, nothing you or I did earned His love. So let us reflect on this great gift and choose to worship. Secondly, the call for us is to respond. For the child of God, the Bible calls for us to be messengers of this love to others. Just as the Gospel was brought to us and we repented and believed, we too must choose to go and share that news with others. Jesus’ sacrifice was payment for that lost neighbor’s sin just as much as it was payment for yours, no matter how far they are from the Lord. May we be willing to share how that lost friend could come to receive the free gift of eternal life.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to be the once and for all sacrifice for the sins of the world. As I reflect on that reality, stir my love and affection for you! Help me to see that neighbor’s need for this eternal gift and may that motivate me to share it with them. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.