Because God’s children are human
beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and
only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of
death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives
as slaves to the fear of dying.
We also know that the Son did not
come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore,
it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and
sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before
God. Then he could offer a sacrifice
that would take away the sins of the people [to make propitiation for the
sins of the people]. Since he himself has gone through suffering and
testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested. - Hebrews
2:14-18 (NLT)
Here in chapter 2 the writer says in verses 2-3, "For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and
every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall
we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?" How can we indeed! It is only through Jesus Christ who came as
we are in "flesh and blood", lived perfectly, tempted in every way,
died but could not be held and rose again.
Only through His worthy sacrifice may our chains of sin be broken
through our belief in Him so that we do not fear death, but rather, see it as
an eternal home in the presence of the Living and Holy God.
The Jews had A Day of Atonement where they would refrain
from working and offer sacrifices to be given for their sins. Charles Spurgeon notes that "if a bullock could be accepted to make
atonement, how much more shall the Lord Jesus be our full and all-sufficient
propitiation?" How can there be
a more perfect sacrifice than God Himself?
God says to us, "you don't
deserve it, but I love you, you deserve destruction, but I love you, so I'm
going to give Myself for you." May
I accept this sacrifice at once and may it be as new to me now as it was the day
I first believed. Oh how I yearn that I
am the Lord's today and no part of me resist his reconciliation!
Now, how may I apply this foundation as the spring of life
to my life today? Who must know the
extent of my doubtless belief? I must be
mindful that whomever I do not tell or show my belief to is actually someone I
do not love. Or, I love myself more than
them as I am unwilling to be uncomfortable or rejected rather than show someone
what separates them from true eternal life.
Who must I sacrifice my wants and desires for today? How can I lift others so that they may see
Christ?
A living sacrifice
To reach a world in need
To be Your hands and feet"
May my lifesong be a continual celebration of joy today as I
reflect upon what Jesus has done!
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