Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - Kansas City, Missouri, United States - "Once For All" Wednesday, 28 January 2015 - Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-10

Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - Kansas City, Missouri, United States - "Once For All" Wednesday, 28 January 2015 - Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-10
"Once For All" by Judyann Grant
Smells! Noise! Confusion! Chaos! It must have been bedlam: sheep and goats bleating, pigeons fluttering, and bulls snorting. Hot, dusty travelers, tired from their long journey milled about looking for water, rest, and redemption; trailed by grubby, hungry children who had long ago shredded their parent’s last nerve.
This tumultuous scene in the Temple was only the precursor to offering sacrifices and praise offerings to God. In an effort to receive forgiveness of sin and pardon for wrongdoing, the people brought their sacrifices. The warranty for their efforts was good for one year.
Priests and Levites worked daily, preparing the captive animals for sacrifice. As the line of sinners stretched as far as the eye could see. Yet this was just a shadow of what was to come. Jesus’ death on the cross inaugurated a new covenant. His holy blood shed there meets repentant souls where they are. His death opens up the holy of holies for all who believe. Not even the most perfect animal could do that.
Hymn for Today: "At the Cross" by Isaac Watts, pub.1707, ref. by Ralph E. Hudson, 1885

1. Alas! and did my Savior bleed

And did my Sov’reign die?

Would He devote that sacred head

For such a worm as I?

Refrain:

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away,

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!

3. Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine—

And bathed in its own blood—

While the firm mark of wrath divine,

His soul in anguish stood.

Refrain:

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away,

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!

3. Was it for crimes that I had done

He groaned upon the tree?

Amazing pity! grace unknown!

And love beyond degree!

Refrain:

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away,

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!

4. Well might the sun in darkness hide

And shut his glories in,

When Christ, the mighty Maker died,

For man the creature’s sin.

Refrain:

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away,

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!

5.Thus might I hide my blushing face

While His dear cross appears,

Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,

And melt my eyes to tears.

Refrain:

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away,

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!

6. But drops of grief can ne’er repay

The debt of love I owe:

Here, Lord, I give myself away,

’Tis all that I can do.

Refrain:

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away,

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!

___________________________
WordAction Publishing Company
Beacon Hill Press
Nazarene Publishing Company
2500 Troost Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64108 United States[Embrace holy living…visit reflectinggod.com.]
____________________________