Hebrews 7
April 21, 2022
“Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.” (v27)
When I consider the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, the word that comes to mind is, “exhausting.” Priests offering up daily sacrifices - because of their own sin and the sin of the people they served. And as soon as they were done with one day’s sacrifice, the need for another sacrifice for sin had already arisen - because God is holy, we keep sinning, and the consequences for sin is death (Gen 3, Rom 3:23). But Jesus, who is both Priest and Sacrifice, put an end to this exhausting religious system, because He was (and is) the sinless, spotless Lamb of God, whose sacrifice for sin is a “once for all” offering that atones for ALL our sin - past, present and future sin - for all who turn to and trust in Him!
Father, I praise You for Jesus, who has not only atoned for the sins of my past, but for the sins of my future, too. Lord, I know that’s not intended to be a license to sin. But I also know my sinful nature - and my tendency to slip into sin and selfishness. I don’t want to go there, but when I do, guard my heart from despair - knowing that, in Jesus, that sin, too, has been atoned for. Hallelujah for the “once and for all” Sacrifice!
— Pastor Joshua Brooks
Use the following steps to guide your daily time with the Lord…
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Start with prayer. Ask God to open your heart to help you understand and receive His Word.
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Read and observe the passage carefully. As needed, read a second Bible version to help with understanding.
➡️ What does it say?
What does this passage teach me about God? What does it say about my sinful nature and my need for God’s grace? How does this passage point to Jesus?
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➡️ What am I going to do about it?
Does this passage include a promise to claim, an action/attitude to avoid/embrace, or a principle to apply? How can this truth apply to my life? What could my next step be? How can I share this with others? Is there a verse or section of Scripture I need to memorize?
