(The following is the October 23 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Hebrews 7 and pay close attention to verses 23-28.)
In the Old Testament Levitical priesthood, it was necessary to offer sacrifices repeatedly. Imperfect human priests offered sacrifices for themselves before doing so on behalf of others. The practice fulfilled the law’s requirements but didn’t permanently remove anyone’s guilt for sin. Therefore, the priests repeated their duties with whatever regularity the law or the people’s sins demanded.
Once Christ completed his work of redemption through the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of his blood on the cross, there was no longer a need for the earlier priesthood. “The old covenant was not an initial plan that failed. It succeeded gloriously. Its purpose was never to save; it was to demonstrate man’s need for a Savior.” *
There are systems of religion today that suggest Christ’s sacrifice was not enough, that there is something we must add to it to be saved or do regularly to maintain our salvation. Such teachings contradict Scripture. In contrast to the work of imperfect human priests that some religions use, “this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do – first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all time when he offered himself” (vv. 26-27).
Everyone born into God’s family through faith in Christ has their sins forgiven forever. The Judge of the universe declares us not guilty (Rom. 8:1), and no further sacrifice is necessary or possible because, as the hymn says, “Jesus paid it all.” **
Praise be to our perfect high priest, Jesus Christ, who made the once-for-all sacrifice needed for the redemption of his people.
Next Step:
Has anyone ever paid a debt you owed? How did you show gratitude? What response does Christ deserve from you for paying your sin debt?
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* R. Albert Mohler Jr., Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2017), 117.
** Elvina M. Hall, Jesus Paid It All, 1865.
