ONCE FOR ALL

Today’s Reading: Hebrews 9-10

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

The Tabernacle of Moses replica can be visited at Timna Park in the Jordan Valley in Israel. You can see the divide of the Holy of Holies curtain through the Holy Place. The Golden Lampstand is on the left, and the Table of Showbread on the right. This picture illustrates the first five verses of today’s reading.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Hebrews 9:12

Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

In 100words.ca we have taken note of repeated words which help us to understand the “main point!” (Hebrews 8:1). In today’s reading “once” is repeated several times. In the Old Covenant, the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies “once a year” (9:7) with the blood of animals, but now “ONCE FOR ALL.” Hebrews 9:7 tells us that “Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.” Our Lord Jesus cried out from the cross, “It is finished!!!” Hebrews 10:12 tells us that “He offered one sacrifice for sins forever.” Then He “sat down at the right hand of God.” The words “sat down” indicate that the work is complete. Hallelujah! Believe it and rest in full confidence of salvation as believers in Jesus!

We have read words here in Hebrews 10, as well as back in Hebrews 6, such as “If they fall away…it is impossible…to renew them again to repentance…” (Hebrews 6:4-6), and Hebrews 10:26 which tells us, “If we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.” How are we to understand this and maintain the assurance of our eternal salvation?

Remember, Hebrews is addressed to Jewish believers in Jesus who faced tremendous pressure to return to traditional Judaism and the animal sacrifices which, as these words were being written, were still being presented daily in the Temple in Jerusalem. This continued up until the Temple’s destruction in 70 A. D. The writer wants his readers to understand that since Jesus cried, “It is finished,” those sacrifices were null and void. If a person goes back to trusting those sacrifices, as Judaism taught, there is no eternal salvation there. This is why the last verse of today’s reading tells us, “But we are not of those who draw back to perdition [back to trusting the animal sacrifices], but of those who believe [in the once for all offering of Jesus] to the saving of the soul” (Hebrews 10:39).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray for Your ministry gifts to enable me, more clearly than ever, to share with others the “once for all” salvation which gives me such confidence. May I fall into the loving, saving, nail-scarred hands of Jesus, trusting Him alone. I know that without Jesus it would indeed be “a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God!” (Hebrews 10:31). With complete assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ, I pray this in His Name! Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I believe that God wants me to have as a goal putting my thoughts down in as close to 100 words as possible. That goal keeps me much more brief than would otherwise be the case. I’m very mindful of Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” The writer is referring to the Day of the return of Christ!

I think that this blog and other daily devotionals are supplemental to the teaching and preaching of my Pastor. “Assembling of ourselves together” is essential and to neglect attendance is disobedience.

Yours to help us all to “Hold fast [firmly] the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful!!!”,

David

P.S. Our television network stations, the Crossroads Television System (YES TV), are unique in approach to sharing the Good News of Jesus. There is great variety in the content. For example, the entertainment shows draw people to watch YES TV who would not tune into a 100% Gospel ministry channel. With a broad appeal to a wide audience, there is much more “new good ground” (as in Jesus’ parable of the sower) in which to sow the seed of God’s Word. Here are some of the things happening on YES TV for the Christmas season. This is the time of year when many who would not otherwise watch Christian content are open to do so. Let’s spread the Good News!

Here is a summertime photo of the Crossroads Centre in Burlington, Ontario, with “CTS” on the big rock out front. This is the home of the Crossroads’ Ministry and of the Crossroads Television System (YES TV). The architect took the inspiration for this design from the Victorian buildings which used to be on Huntley Street in downtown Toronto. On the plaque at the bottom of the rock is the Scripture, “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16).

The Brazen Altar is placed before the replica of Moses’ Tabernacle. You can see the Timna Cliffs and wilderness in the distance. The actual tabernacle was pitched in the wilderness by the children of Israel, taken down and moved many times. Hebrews 8:5 calls the earthly tent, “A copy and shadow of the heavenly things.” This was very temporary, but the building in Heaven where Christ, our High Priest, made His entrance, bringing His own blood, is eternal! Jesus, the Lamb of God, is the final and complete Sacrifice for sin!!!