Hebrews
9:24-28–The sacrifices of God – a
sacrifice of love. Christ offers Himself but once for the sins of the world and
is coming again. The author of Hebrews
uses the cult to explain the atonement and return of Jesus. As the Jewish high
priest annually entered the holy of holies in the temple, Jesus, the high
priest, entered the heavens, the temple of God.
Christ offered himself but once for the sins of the
world and is coming again. The author of Hebrews explains the atonement and the
return of Christ. As the Jewish high priest annually entered the holy of holies
in the temple, Jesus, the high priest, entered the heavens, the temple of God.
The high priest offered a sacrifice annually but Christ as high priest offered
his sacrifice but once. The high priest offered not his own blood but Jesus
did. His one-time sacrifice took away sins. As judgment comes after a person’s
death so Christ will return for the judgment of the world and to receive those
who are waiting for him.
Who ever heard of a priest offering a sacrifice of
himself? This is the mystery and the glory of Jesus’ sacrifice. He stands at
the altar as the officiating priest, but he offers himself as the lamb. With
this in mind, we can understand the explanation of the Atonement as a sacrifice
that satisfied the justice of God. The price for our sins is paid by God
himself.
“Once upon a time” Jesus came into the world. It
sounds like a story, but this “story” is true! Once he lived and died for his
people’s freedom from Satan. Only once did he appear in the world as a man.
Only once did he die for the world’s sins. Only once will he return to wind up
world history, to gather his people and establish his everlasting kingdom.
There is no need to look for another to come. There is no new revelation to be
made. In Christ God made his last effort to reconcile the world.[2]
Collect for
Proper 27 –O Lord, by Your bountiful
goodness release us from the bonds of our sins, which by reason of our weakness
we have brought upon ourselves, that we may stand firm until the day of our
Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God,
now and forever.[3] -04 November, 2021
[1] The crucifixion Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
[2] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 2006 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
[3] Collect for Proper 27, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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