December 17th - Reflection

Hebrews 10:10-18 (NRSV)
New priest, new sacrifice once for all

And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, "he sat down at the right hand of God," and since then has been waiting "until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet." For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds," he also adds,

"I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Reflection
From earlier readings of fussing with one another and fussing with God, here the composite name of Jesus Christ first appears in the letter to the Hebrews. It's as if we received more than the flesh and blood of Jesus, but indeed we have received sanctification through Jesus Christ, and that once and for all.

With this we are now free from sin to return to our duties of service and love for God and each other in the Kingdom, day after day. Free from sin, and filled with the hope of a future time when, even in this place, faith and love will open a new way and a new return of Jesus when the Kingdom will finally be fulfilled. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, You came to earth in flesh and blood. You lived. You died. You rose again. Our sins forgiven each day, we go out in faith, hope and love, loving you and one another, while we look to that day when You will once again return to fulfill Your loving acts in the Kingdom. ---Amen