Our High Priest

Today’s Bible Reading:  Isaiah 11-14; Hebrews 9

Journal Entry on a passage from today’s reading:

Topic: Salvation

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews 9:24-28

²⁴ 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. 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 Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷ Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, ²⁸ so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Heb 9:24-28 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

The hardest part of writing today’s Life Journal entry was choosing just a few verses to write about. Hebrews is rich with inspired explanation of godly eternal truths. Chapter 9 starts with a description of the Old Testament Tabernacle, its furnishings, and how the high priest entered the most holy place once each year with the blood of a sacrificed animal offered as an atonement for his own sins and the sins of the people (vv. 1-7). The writer of Hebrews explains that this is an illustration of what has been fulfilled in Christ. Jesus, as our High Priest, offered His own blood to cover our sins once and for all, ushering us from the old to the new covenant (vv. 8-15).   

When we come to verses 24-28, Christ’s once and for all time sacrifice for all sin is reiterated. But the story isn’t finished yet. Every person on this earth is still destined to die and face God’s judgment. Christ died and, as our High Priest, entered the true tabernacle of heaven that the earthly tabernacle was only a copy of. He will appear again, and when He does it will not be to again bear our sin (that has already been taken care of), it will be to complete the salvation of those waiting for Him (v. 28).

APPLICATION:

The application of the truths given in these passages of Scripture is for each individual to ask and answer the question, “Are you waiting for Him?” The truth of what God’s love has accomplished for us is that when we believe in and receive His gift of salvation in Christ, we are delivered from eternal death to eternal life. The fruition of that glorious salvation comes when we are in His physical presence again. We wait for Him until our earthly life ends or until He comes again. Do not become weary in waiting. Remember, waiting is not a passive word, but an action word (perhaps a subject for another Life Journal blog entry).

PRAYER:

Thank You Lord for Your great love and salvation offered to me. I humbly accept Your gift with worship and adoration. I actively await Your coming again and joyfully enjoy the blessings of Your Spirit’s presence with me until that day. Amen.  –AP