Day 94 "Jesus' Sacrifice Brings Celebration" (Hebrews: Chapter 9)

Life is full of moments that cause our hearts to celebrate! Seven years ago, to this very day, Robyn and I joined our lives and families together atop these stone steps at a private residence. With our friends and relatives sitting below in a garden area and a beautiful lake to our backs, it was, indeed, a glorious day! Hard to believe with the blue sky above us that just a short time earlier it was overcast and raining. God is so good! I married my best friend.

For those of us who take the time to read and study the books of Romans and Hebrews in the bible, we, too, will find great cause for celebration! We are the beneficiaries of a life given for the many. As we take a look at Romans Chapter 9 today, I hope you will discover for yourselves what Jesus death means for you. For me, it brought a second chance to life, a hope in which to live out out this lifetime and an expectancy of even better things to come that lie ahead waiting for us in God's kingdom to come.

Romans: Chapter 9

"Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary." Hebrews 9:1

"Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place" Hebrews 9:3

"But only the high priest entered into the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance." Hebrews 9:7

"This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper."

Hebrews 9:9

"external regulations applying until the time of the new order." Hebrews 9:10

"When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not part of this creation." Hebrews 9:11

"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 blood, having obtained eternal redemption."

Hebrews 9:12

"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." Hebrews 9:14

"For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant," Hebrews 9:15

"now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant."

Hebrews 9:15

"In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Hebrews 9:22

"For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence." Hebrews 9:24

"But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself."

Hebrews 9:26

"Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people;" Hebrews 9:27-28

"and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him." Hebrews 9:28

Key verses for me:

"When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not part of this creation." Hebrews 9:11

"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 blood, having obtained eternal redemption."

Hebrews 9:12

"For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant," Hebrews 9:15

"For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence."

Hebrews 9:24

"Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people;" Hebrews 9:27-28

"and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him."

Hebrews 9:28

Jesus, himself, said that no greater love exists than to lay down one's life for his friends. And then he went on to call his disciples his friends. What an intimate moment when one considers and understands by faith that Christ preexisted before this lifetime in honor and glory in heaven, only to surrender such a position in order to come to earth to lay down his life to pay the penalty for our sins and to reconcile us back into a relationship with God. Jesus did for us what we could not do for ourselves- willingly in love. Jesus' death ushered in a new covenant in which he is the mediator. A new covenant which is based on faith and love, not works or by the law. We have been freed to serve in a new way. God's heart and desire is for us not to feel that we have to serve God, but that we would willingly want to serve God and allow his love to flow through us to touch and change the lives of others.

Love is not a what...it is a "how to."

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"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Romans 12:2

In Christ, one should find cause for great celebration-despite one's circumstances.

May you, too, find cause to celebrate life! In his love, see you tomorrow...

"Carpe Momentum in Love" (Seize the moment in love)