Worth Remembering

7.13.2011

Hebrews 10:1-4 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. NIV

There are things we need to be reminded of; there are things we need to hold close to our hearts. And then there are things we need to let go of; things that need to be written off as mistakes, lessons learned, and the never-do-agains. The problem with the sacrificial system is it reminded people of their failures. It brought up the same old bad news again and again. The sacrifices never did what they were intended to do and so day after day and year after year was an appointment with God to say over and over, “I’m sorry for what I’ve done.”

What we need to be reminded of these days – what I need to be reminded of – is that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was a once for all sacrifice and by remembering that and believing in that my sin issues with God are forever taken care of. I don’t need to go to God to be reminded of my sins and shortcomings; I go to God to find help in time of need! I’m not forced to make a sacrifice and go through a ritual every time I want to go to God; I simply point to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and celebrate God’s goodness in free access through Him! Yeah!

The logic of Hebrews 10 is astounding because it takes on the things we think will make us better and points us to the only thing that ever will help us: the Supreme Sacrifice of Jesus Christ on our behalf and statements like: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” (v. 17) That’s worth remembering. That’s worth celebrating!

Father in Heaven,
Although my life is far from perfect and filled with all kinds of faulty defaults, I need the daily reminder that it’s all been taken care of forever through Your Son, my Savior; through Him my sins and transgressions are remembered no more. Thank You! Today I remember Your love and mercy and I remember that You are in control of my life – draw me close and keep me focused on You, I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.