Skip to main content

305. The Sixth Word

Hebrews 10:5-14, John 19:30
Key Verse: "It is finished."
John 19:30

It is easy to think that this word refers to the oxos that Jesus has just drunk from the sponge. In truth, this statement has much more depth to it than simply acknowledging a quenched thirst. We would understand it best if Jesus had said, "Paid in full," for in fact, this is what He meant.

Jesus had fulfilled every prophesy spoken of Him up to this point. He would continue fulfilling more prophesies through His death, burial and resurrection, but at this point, Jesus had kept His word to us and Satan, and has completed all that was required of Him, through His atoning sacrifice, to prepare the way for us to be forgiven by God of our sin.

He had been the perfect lamb. He had borne our sin and shame. As the lamb sheds its blood, He had shed His blood for us. "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) This wasn't a requirement from God because He enjoyed bloodshed. Rather, this is how precious blood is. The shedding of the blood of sheep reminds us of our sin, and how serious it is, but only through the shedding of Christ's blood are we truly forgiven.

"Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest, (Jesus), had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God." (Hebrews 10:11-12) Why? Because it was finished. "Paid in full." The suffering had been enough. The blood shed had been enough. The debt had been fulfilled and through it, cancelled. We no longer have the guilt of our sins hanging over our heads because they have been completely atoned for, on this day, while Jesus hung on the cross.

"The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 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." (Heb. 9:13-14) His blood is more precious than a lamb's could ever be. It is more precious than any fragrance used to anoint His feet, and it was shed for you and me.

Hymn: "Nothingbut the Blood" 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

211. The Sons of Thunder's Request

Matthew 20:20-28 , Mark 10:35-45 , Key verse: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." Mark 10:43B-44 In our readings for yesterday, in which Jesus outlined what was about to happen to Him, for His disciples, the passage in Luke ends: "The disciples did not understand any of this. It's meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what He was talking about." ( Luke 18:34 ) Now, we see just how truly clueless they were. Jesus had laid out a plan before them of pain and suffering and death and now James and John are focused on a promotion. The disconnect is so obvious. It's really not important to know whether James and john came up with this request on their own or if their mother put them up to it. The request was made and James and John thought that they could handle the responsibility that would come with it. What is that saying, "Fools rush in where angels fe...
Post a Comment
Read more

October 27 Save the Glaze for the Bunny

Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips of an evil heart. A malicious man disguises himself with his lips. But in his heart, he harbors deceit. Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it. If a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him. ~Proverbs 26:23-28 For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. Even one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth. T...
Post a Comment
Read more

July 16 Thick Skinned Love

Whoever covers over an offence promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. ~Proverbs 17:9 If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. ~Matthew 18:15  The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ~1 Peter 4:7-8  Being offended seems to be the battle cry of the day. Instead of freedom of speech, everyone has the right not to be offended. If one is offended, then one has the right to exact vengeance on the offender because, of course, the offender KNEW that he or she was being offensive and just didn’t care. Is that how you see much of society behaving today?  There seems to be all of this offending and finger pointing that just keeps growing and growing. Nothing is being resolved, just more blame that grows louder a...
Post a Comment
Read more