Changing the Pattern
Opening Prayer
Jesus, thank you for helping me to break free from old habits and old cycles that separate me from You.
Read Hebrews 7:23–28
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely[a] those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 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. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How does it make you feel to know that Jesus has already made the sacrifice for all of your sins—past, present and future?In the Old Testament the process of maintaining a relationship with God depended on two cycles. One cycle was the cycle of sacrifice: sacrifices had to be offered time and time again because forgiveness was never permanent. The second cycle was the cycle of priests, those who made the sacrifices. They had to be replaced regularly through death.
But Jesus changes the pattern. Jesus is risen from the dead and he lives forever, so he always stands in the gap between us and the Father to ensure our salvation. He lives forever, so he needs no replacement. What’s more, he gave himself as a sacrifice for us, “once for all” (27). He had no need to offer a sacrifice for his own sin, as he had no sin. Instead he became a sacrifice for the sins of all the people. And because he had no sin himself, he only needed to make that sacrifice once. That’s why on the cross he cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30).
Apply
Jesus has broken those Old Testament cycles through his sacrifice. Praise him for his offering of himself “once for all.”
Closing prayer
My Savior, I thank You for completing the sacrifice. I am so overjoyed when I remember that my sins are gone!
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