Hebrews 10:11 Now every cohen stands every day doing his service, offering over and over the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this one, after he had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from then on to wait until his enemies be made a footstool for his feet.[Hebrews 10:13 Psalm 110:1]14 For by a single offering he has brought to the goal for all time those who are being set apart for God and made holy.
15 And the Ruach HaKodesh too bears witness to us; for after saying,
16 “ ‘This is the covenant which I will make
with them after those days,’ says Adonai:
‘I will put my Torah on their hearts,
and write it on their minds . . . ,’ ”[Hebrews 10:16 Jeremiah 31:32(33)]
17 he then adds,
“ ‘And their sins and their wickednesses
I will remember no more.’ ”[Hebrews 10:17 Jeremiah 31:33(34)]
18 Now where there is forgiveness for these, an offering for sins is no longer needed.
19 So, brothers, we have confidence to use the way into the Holiest Place opened by the blood of Yeshua. 20 He inaugurated it for us as a new and living way through the parokhet, by means of his flesh. 21 We also have a great cohen over God’s household. 22 Therefore, let us approach the Holiest Place with a sincere heart, in the full assurance that comes from trusting — with our hearts sprinkled clean from a bad conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.[Hebrews 10:22 Ezekiel 36:25]
23 Let us continue holding fast to the hope we acknowledge, without wavering; for the One who made the promise is trustworthy. 24 And let us keep paying attention to one another, in order to spur each other on to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting our own congregational meetings, as some have made a practice of doing, but, rather, encouraging each other.
And let us do this all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Complete Jewish Bible).
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I make the sign of the cross across my body many times a day. It is an old habit, but it is also a constant reminder of the love I have for Jesus Christ and the love my Lord has for me. The resurrection of Jesus destroyed death and gave us the promise of eternal life. We have been given the gift of grace. I hold fast to the promise of God through the prophet Jeremiah, quoted in today's reading from the letter to the Hebrews: "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." That is the incredible gift of grace given to us as followers of Christ. Rooted in grace, we go forth and spread the good news that the gift of grace is for everyone. We are called to rejoice in the love God has for each one of God's creatures. Making the sign of the cross is, for me, a constant reminder of the promises of God.
Lord, may we constantly be reminded of the love you have for each of us. You loved us so much, you sacrificed your life in order to give us eternal life and the forgiveness of our sins. Let us rejoice in this gift of grace. Amen.
Nicole M. Garcia, '18
Director of Congregational Care, Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Boulder, Colo.
Hebrews 10:11 And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins.12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, "he sat down at the right hand of God,"
13 and since then has been waiting "until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet."
14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.
15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,
16 "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,"
17 he also adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more."
18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
19 Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus,
20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh),
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds,
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (New Revised Standard Version).
The Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
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