For by one offering, he has perfected forever them that are sanctified.”
Hebrews 10:14
The thought of one man’s death providing perfection forever,
wilts our comprehension.
Yet this is what the writer states.
Here is an expression of the center of the faith, for those whom God loves.
Earlier in the 10th chapter, the writer has quoted from the 40th Psalm and attributed those words to Jesus.
He quotes verse 8, that speaks of a man, coming, to do the will of God.
He distinguishes between the sacrificial death of animals,
and the doing of God’s will by one man.
The writer continues and distinguishes the futile work of the Jewish priests in offering slain animals, with the once-for-all work of Jesus,
who surrendered his sinless life to perfect forever, God’s people.
All that we have failed to do in our body, Jesus accomplished in his.
All of the shame of our sins, was covered by his innocent blood shed.
Isaiah 53:11 declares the travail of soul that he suffered, satisfied the Father.
Each of us must know, that if his suffering was not sufficient to cover all our sin, we have no peace. Only his self-offering brings us to God.
Yet we disturb the peace by our self-will.
This meal is to restore to us, his life, his peace.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians that this eating and drinking
is a proclaiming of Jesus’ death.
The saving life is seen, in the elements we eat and drink.
In eating and drinking we affirm,
“ I will eat and drink the crucified life – and be conformed unto his death.”
We must discern – we consume the holy life -- we cannot remain the same.
Paul warned, do not eat with the leaven of malice and wickedness.
(1 Corinthians 5:8)
We are repeatedly delivered to death to become like him.
read 2 Corinthians 4:11
Father, many of us have eaten your Son many times;
sometimes thoughtlessly, sometimes self-righteously,
even while holding malice.
Please forgive us for all the times we have eaten him
without discerning our hearts.
Lead us to believe his sacrifice is sufficient to forgive even that evil.
Because Jesus’ life was well-pleasing to the Father,
it is our hope, in spite of our sin.
Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to continue to call to our attention,
all the impurities of our flesh and spirit,
that he may wash them away from our spirit.
Our need of repeated cleansing humbles us, and crucifies our persistent pride.
“For by one offering, he has perfected forever them that are sanctified.”
Father, We give you praise, for seeing the end from the beginning,
for providing what we did not see we needed.
Lead us further into your peace, thru Jesus who intercedes for us.
Lead us to love him, with the love of tender feelings. (1 Cor. 16:22)