Once for All

Hebrews 9:12 Jesus did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.
 
WHEN Israel’s high priest entered the Most Holy Place in the temple on the Day of Atonement, he had to first purify himself. He sprinkled bull’s blood on himself then went out of the Most Holy Place to re-enter with the blood of the bull on him. He would then proceed to make atonement for Israel’s sins by sprinkling a bull’s and a goat’s blood on the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant. To complete the atoning ritual, the priest laid his hands on a second goat that would be released into the wilderness. The goat ceremonially carried Israel’s sins out of the camp. The Day of Atonement for Israel’s sins was temporary, repeated annually.
    Consider, then, Jesus’ entrance into the Most Holy Place. He did not enter to sacrifice a bull, he sacrificed himself. He did not sprinkle a bull’s blood on himself, but his own blood poured out of him onto the cross, the mercy seat. Jesus did not send a goat outside the camp. He was crucified outside the camp – outside Jerusalem. His atonement is complete. He does not need to repeat it. Hebrews emphasizes this further.
    Hebrews 9:13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
    Jesus saves. He has offered himself to the cross. He completes the law and fulfilled God’s redemptive purpose so that we may serve the Living God!
    Jesus taught us how to serve as he administered the gospel. Be reminded of his active life on earth: Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Seeking is work. It requires going and doing. Seeking is uncovering those in need and serving their needs. Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry, preached the gospel, raised the dead, submitted to the cross, rose from the dead and ascended to heaven.
    Once for all Jesus has become the way to life eternal. He has shown you how to live while you await your future home. Jesus is an active, serving, redeeming Savior. He has done this all for you.