Today’s reading is Hebrews 9.
Aaronic priests entered the Holy of Holies in the earthly tent having followed the appropriate regulations for worship once per year on the Day of Atonement. They did that every year, again and again and again. Not only that, but the priests in general went daily, weekly, monthly to the temple to offer sacrifices of bulls and goats. Over and over and over they offered sacrifice. In fact, with just the bare minimum of sacrifices as seen in Numbers 28-29, more than 1200 sacrifices were offered every year. Those are just the sacrifices the priests had to offer no matter what. That doesn’t count the families who came to bring thanksgiving, votive, sin, and burnt offerings. Think about that. Over 1200 sacrifices every year. We’re talking millions of sacrifices offered in the tabernacle and temple of the Lord.
But then Jesus, the priest after the order of Melchizedek came. How many sacrifices did He offer? One. He offered once for all the sacrifice that can truly forgive sin. He offered one sacrifice which all people can access. He didn’t offer a sacrifice for Jews and then another for Gentiles. He didn’t offer one sacrifice for Americans and then another for Russians. He didn’t offer one sacrifice for black people and then another for white people. He offered one sacrifice for all.
Further it was once for all time. He didn’t have to be sacrificed again the following year, decade, century, millennium. He didn’t offer a sacrifice for the pre-modern era and then need to offer a different one for the modern era and post-modern era. He didn’t have to offer a different kind of sacrifice. He offered one sacrifice for all people once for all time.
You can only draw near to God through that sacrifice. There is no other way. He made the preparations so we can come into God’s presence and worship. No doubt, we are not simply allowed to say Jesus’s name over whatever we want to do and call it drawing near to God or worshiping Him. However, we must recognize the first regulation for worship under this new covenant is to be in Jesus, to do whatever we do in His name and by His authority. There is no other way. Can we help you enter Christ? Let us know in the comments below.
Are you in Christ? Praise the Lord! Our high priest offered one effective sacrifice once for all.
Tomorrow’s reading is Hebrews 9.
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Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family
- What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
- Do you know what kinds of sacrifices they had to offer repeatedly under the first covenant? List as many as you know.
- Are you glad you don’t have to offer sacrifices in order to worship God under this New Covenant in Jesus? Why or why not?
- What does Romans 6:1-4 say about how we enter Christ? Have you done that?
- What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?
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