Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Thursday prior to Proper 27

 

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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