Slices
Prepare
Psalm 111:9 tells us God ‘provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant for ever – holy and awesome is his name’. Come, listen to your holy and awesome Lord.
Bible passage
23 It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 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.
Explore
The writer gives this glimpse into the heavenly reality of Christ’s better and superior sacrifice (vs 23–25) to help us face the future. We will all die and face judgement (v 27), but those who put their hope in Christ are purified and saved by him. How is this possible? How does one man’s death save us?
First, we need to understand how sin separates each of us from our holy God. God revealed this uncomfortable truth through the Old Testament covenant rituals (v 23). Forgiveness of sin required a blood sacrifice which covered the sin and purified everything it touched (v 22).
Jesus’ death was no accident. It was part of God’s plan (v 26; Matthew 26:38,39). With extravagant love, Jesus Christ, our High Priest mediator, became our purifying sacrifice (vs 25,26).
When he ascended to heaven, he entered the heavenly sanctuary only once. What a significant word! ‘Once’ means his sacrifice was enough. ‘Once’ means Jesus’ death was effective in dealing decisively with sin (vs 26,28). When we trust what Christ has done, we receive the benefits: forgiveness of sin and cleansing, now and on the day of judgement.
Respond
Thank God for the benefits you have because of Christ’s sacrifice.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Jeremiah 51,52; Psalm 119:73–96
Pray for Scripture Union
Safeguarding Manager Chloe Shivraj asks us to pray that the children and young people we serve would feel safe but also empowered to speak up when something isn’t right. Pray that staff and volunteers would listen well and respond with wisdom, compassion and integrity.
