Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“For if the blood of goats and bulls, with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, 14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit”
NL Daily Devotion for Sunday, August 4, 2019
by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff
Main Idea: Jesus’ saving work altered the fabric of creation—we are forgiven and redeemed eternally.
Before Jesus, the way to sanctification and redemption was through the offering of a blood sacrifice by the High Priest in the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). An animal such as goats, calves or bulls had to be purified before it was worthy of the offering of its life in atonement for sin. Offering, then, the blood of a purified animal, the people’s sins were forgiven—at least for the time being. As humanity’s propensity to sin flourishes, it would be necessary to repeat the ritual annually.
When Jesus came, it was to annihilate the consequences of sin forever. But a purified animal’s blood would not be enough. Jesus offered himself, inherently pure, in the inner court (not just of the earthly temple, but of heaven itself through death). Through his sacrifice, although sin would continue, the eternal consequence of sin (the barrier that existed between God and people signified by the curtain in the temple, and unalterable and final death) was atoned, bridging the gap between God and people, and defeating death.
Jesus’ influence goes far beyond the saving of humanity. Jesus’ saving work took him to death and back; to earth and heaven; to the agents of hell and of pure holiness. Jesus’ death and resurrection altered the fabric of creation forever. We now live under the promise of forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life. We live with the constant presence of the Holy Spirit. We now confess our sins because doing so is good for us, for those we seek to atone to, and greater creation, not because refraining would threaten our eternal soul.
How often do you confess?
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