He’s a Chain Breaker
(Read Hebrews 9)
The writer of Hebrews was reassuring troubled and persecuted Jewish Christians that Christ, not the Old Testament Law, was/is the true path for to salvation. At that time, they were still more comfortable with their Old Testament rituals and sacrifices for their salvation than they were with the promises from the blood of Jesus.
“He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.”
The Jewish Christians tried to wash away their guilt through endless and unsatisfying sacrifices. None of these blood sacrifices would wipe their sins clean. We’re no different thousands of years later. We rationalize, deny, and make deals with God to assuage our sins. In spite of our failed efforts, we cannot suppress or deny our guilt.
Hebrews reminded his readers that Jesus Christ serves as a high priest in heaven, not on earth. As opposed to being a symbol of a path to God, Christ is the real thing.
“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”
Their Old Testament sacrifices did not cleanse them of sin, and thus kept them partially distant from God. Their sacrifices were temporary. They adhered to ceremonial cleansing, but not soul cleansing. They would always be chained to their guilt. With the Holy and sufficient sacrifice of Christ, the writer of Hebrews stressed there was no longer need for their old sacrifices.
“But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
Christ’s atonement for our sins made us right with God. All the guilt we have brought on ourselves was washed clean by Christ’s sacrifice. When Christ returns to earth, it will not be as a sacrifice, but rather, it will be to finalize God’s plan of salvation for those who accept His son Jesus Christ, and judgment for those who do not.
Highlights:
- How many times have you dismissed change, even when you know it’s good for you? There’s a reason our minds keep bringing us back to the same patterns over and over. Our minds crave safety and comfort and it makes it hard to break out of our comfort zone and go deeper into areas of growth.
- We have one life to live according to the way Christ showed us. We will make mistakes and as fallen souls, we will sin. The author of Hebrews 9 urged the Jewish Christians to part ways with their traditional past and to accept the perfectness of Jesus Christ as their true salvation, as their only High Priest to break the chains of their sins. If we want true freedom, if we want to spend an eternity in God’s kingdom, we must go to Christ.
Applications:
- Since the Covid-19 pandemic, when you go to the grocery store, you’ll notice a lot of things missing from the shelves. Meats, disinfectants, and toilet paper. People have panicked and hoarded more of this then they could ever use. They’re putting more trust in what they can control over faith in their future. They’re storing up treasures from today. Is your faith aimed at something on earth or in heaven?
- Instead of worrying about the news and statistics, spend time focusing on things you can change. Change is hard. Break your comfortable habits. Put your trust in Jesus and worship the one who can really save you.
- 15 minutes a day.
Take 5 minutes that you might have spent watching the news and reach out to a friend or family member. Take 5 minutes and read a chapter of Hebrews. Take 5 minutes and pray that Jesus will comfort us and be present in our lives. Growth isn’t easy, but the payoff is unfathomable.
“If you need freedom or saving
He’s a prison-shaking Savior
If you’ve got chains
He’s a chain breaker”
Zach Williams
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.