June 12, 2025 | Be God's Family
Christ's Sacrifice Conquered Sin
Scripture: Hebrews 9:23-26(NIV)
23 It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Devotional
Paul Bliss, an 18th century American, is one of most famous Christian song writers in history. He wrote over 300 songs, and his “Once for All” compliments today’s message in Hebrews and reminds us that Jesus is now in the presence of Heaven to intercede for us.
Free from the law, oh, happy condition!
Jesus has bled, and there is remission;
Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,
Christ has redeemed us once for all.
In the Old Testament, the High Priest would make atonement for the sins of the people once a year with the blood of sacrificed animals. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) is a sacred and holy day for most Jews today. In Biblical times they considered it to be a day to atone for sins of the past year. It was a day set aside for fasting and was devoted entirely to confession, repentance, and prayer. On this day only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, taking the sin offering with him.
But now, Jesus “has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself” (v. 26). Since the high priest went into the Holy of Holies once a year, it signified “that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning” (9:8). Jesus, however, was the “High Priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle…” (9:11). His constant presence before the Father guarantees the believer eternal access into the heavenly Holy of Holies (Gromacki, New Testament Survey).
In the Hebrew passage today, we learn that Jesus is the perfect sacrifice. “He was better than the prophets, heir of all things, creator of the universe… brightness of God’s glory, express image of His person, sustainer of the world, and the One seated beside the Father” (Gromacki). The Levitical priests offered their sacrifices once a year (9:25), but Jesus offered Himself once for all (9:28). The priest’s sacrifices were just a shadow of the very image, the sacrifice of Jesus. The former sacrifices could never remove the guilt of sin; otherwise, they would not have been repeated. Jesus, however, “secured the positional sanctification of the believer through the offering of His body once for all” (Gromacki). The priests’ work had to be repeated yearly, but Jesus’ work was finished with His sacrifice on the cross (John 19:30). “Christ has redeemed us once for all!”
What can we do daily to show our gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross?
Poem
Once, For All
Psalm 13
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.
Psalm 13:5-6
Though my faith is most often fickle
Reminders constantly needed
When each trial seems a new challenge
As though faith has retreated
Why do I need reminders, Lord?
Why is my memory lacking?
I seem to need You with each breath
At times I think You slacking
“Do You remember me, O Lord?
Are You Your face me hiding?
When You are silent can I trust
That You are still abiding?”
Lord, build my trust in Your great love
Escape death’s dark retracing--
Help me believe Your ‘once, for all’
Your risen life embracing
