Power in Christ’s Blood!
Scripture reading for October 24: Hebrews 9
“But when Christ appeared as a High Priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” Hebrews 9:11-14
The writer of Hebrews was familiar with the Old Covenant Laws and how they were administered by the high priest in the tabernacle. The tabernacle was made according to the pattern that Moses had received from God on the mountain. The priesthood was appointed by God and the daily sacrifices were prescribed by God. The high priest could only enter the most holy place once a year, and must have the proper sacrifice for himself as well as the people of Israel. If he was obedient and humbly did his job, the high priest would return from offering the sacrifice to declare the people’s sins covered for another year. This enabled God to dwell among His people and be their God. But more sins would be committed and more sacrifices needed each time and each year before God’s dwelling place.
But when Christ appeared as High Priest, He ascended to heaven with a perfect sacrifice of His blood. He entered into the real holy of holies and applied His blood to the true ‘Mercy Seat’, God’s very throne. He then took His seat at God’s right hand to intercede for all who would believe in Him and His sacrifice. The blood of Christ was offered without blemish in the power of the Holy Spirit in complete obedience to God. It is able to purify sinners and cleanse their conscience of dead works. It has power to sanctify the believer and justify him completely. It is the only sacrifice to cleanse completely from sin when applied.
Have you ever tried to get rid of guilt from something you did or experienced that you knew was sinful? How does this passage of Hebrews help you to find God’s only remedy for sin? Why do you think that God required blood to cleanse us from sin?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the sacrifice You provided for the cleansing of our sins and specifically my sins. I can rest in what Jesus Christ did with His own blood on my behalf. I can call on Him daily for additional application and cleansing. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and power to declare these truths. Amen.
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