Lenten Devotion – Christ’s Sacrifice Once For All
Day 25, 13 March 2024
“But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:12-13
Today’s devotion emphasizes the truth that the new covenant, through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, is far superior to the old covenant, based on animal sacrifices.
The Jews lived a long time under the old ceremonial law. Yet the law, while good in itself, is only a shadow of better things to come. Under this law, the Jews had to offer the same kind of animal sacrifices annually because they were never able to cleanse the sins of the worshippers.
In human history, only one person was able to fulfill the entire law of God – Jesus Christ. Not only did Jesus meet the full requirements of the law, he took away our sins by offering his own body as the perfect sacrifice. He is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
The ineffectiveness of repeated animal sacrifices reminded me of a recent episode in the life of my 93-year-old dad.
About 6 months ago, he had inguinal hernia in his lower abdomen which caused considerable discomfort and pain whilst walking and getting chores done. To alleviate the pain, we bought him a hernia truss belt to press and keep the affected intestines in place. Whenever he wore the belt, the pain and discomfort lessened but once that was removed, he would feel the searing pain again.
So about 2 months ago, a decision was reached for my dad to undergo invasive surgery to close the muscle wall so that his intestines will not spill out. The surgeon who performed the operation was very skilful and after 3 hours or so, the surgery was completed. Today, my dad is able to move around without the truss belt.
In a sense, offering animal sacrifices is like wearing the truss belt.
It is only a temporary fix and cannot totally address the root problem that causes pain. But the surgeon was able to remove the pain by patching up the hole in the muscle wall. Thus, my dad’s surgery is a good analogy of Jesus coming to earth and performing the one and only operation that can eternally eliminate the root cause of sin and reconcile us with the Father.
In closing, let us reflect on this prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you that the law was a shadow of better things to come through Christ. He is not only my heavenly High Priest, but the sacrificial offering that You accepted as the full and final payment for my sins. Thank you that there is nothing more that I need to do other than to believe that Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God; and to love as well as obey Him as my Lord and Saviour. May I never ever become complacent about the enormous sacrifice that Jesus paid on the cross for my sake. Amen.
Clarence Nah🙏