Friday, November 12, 2021

Today’s Reading: Hebrews 10:1-5

For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 

Hebrews 10:4

Reflection: Jesus takes away our sin. According to the Law God gave to His people, sacrifices needed to be made to atone for the people’s sins. Every time a person sinned, they would have to atone for it in order to restore their relationship with God. The problem was that even though this sin was atoned for, or covered, through sacrifices, it would always be revealed once again, separating the people from God. It never went away.

And so, by sacrifice after sacrifice, people would be reminded of their sin, their need to atone for it, their need to rid themselves of it in order to be near to God. The Law which required sacrifice to atone for sins showed the burden of sin, and the need for a perfect sacrifice to remove sin once and for all. It also showed the people that there was nothing they could do to rid themselves of sin.

This was the very rason Jesus died on the Cross: to take away our sin. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice to remove the sin that came between God and people. While sacrifices made according to the Law covered up sin, Jesus’ sacrifice completely eradicated it! To this day, we have never been able to rid ourselves of sin. In our own attempts to do better next time or right our own wrongs, we only temporarily cover up the ugliness of sin which remains with us. This is why we are in need of Jesus. He has already done the work to cleanse us of our sin so that we can be near to God. Have we allowed Him to take our sins away?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You saw my need for someone to take away my sin and You knew my need for You. Thank You for Your Son Jesus. Thank You for His sacrifice which allows me to come into Your Presence. I pray that You help me to show others the joy of being free from sin through Him. In His Precious Name I pray, AMEN.

Bible-in-a-Year Reading Plan (credit: Biblestudytools.com):Hebrews 9:23-10:18; Exodus 9:1-10:29; Proverbs 3