Devotional: Once for All: Hebrews 10:1-10

“For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near” (Heb. 10:1, NASB).

On April 20, 2021 a jury after only ten hours of deliberation found former Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of all three charges in the death of George Floyd. Chauvin was found guilty of Second Degree Unintentional Murder, Third Degree Murder, and Second Degree Manslaughter. The family and many others believed that the verdict was right and that George Floyd and his family had received justice. However, ABC newsperson Michael Strahan observed that the verdict would not stop the grieving and suffering felt by the George Floyd family. President Joe Biden observed that this one verdict had not solved all the problems of justice in this country. There is still more work to do.

People that believe in Jesus have eternal life. There is no more work to do in order for one to have eternal life. In the book of Hebrews, the writer tells us that the Law was only a shadow of good things to come. The sacrifices required in the Law for sins had only temporary implications. Sacrifices had to be repeated year after year. The blood from the sacrifices of bulls and goats could not take away our sins. Jesus Christ initiated a New Covenant in His blood for our sins. “And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood’” (Lk. 22:20, NASB). Jesus died on the cross. His blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness. John writes “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9, NASB).

There is nothing more that needs to be done for the believer to be saved. The song writer writes these words: Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it whiter than snow. The sin debt has been paid. Jesus came in a human body to die on the cross. His body replaced the bodies of bulls and goats. His blood replaced the blood of animals sacrificed for the sins of the people. “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Heb. 10:10, NASB).

Prayer: Lord we confess our sins. We are thankful that Jesus died once and for all. Amen.