READ: Ezekiel 25,26; Psalms 135; Hebrews 9
SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 9: 3 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[Or from useless rituals], so that we may serve the living God!
OBSERVATION: Purification rituals
are present in many religions to make a person ceremonially clean to come
before a deity or participate in religious practices. According to the law of
Moses, an unclean person would become clean after a ceremonially clean person sprinkled
“the water of cleansing” on him (Num.19). However, none of them purifies a
person’s conscience. They may have some effect on a person’s outward
cleanliness, but they are temporal. The author of Hebrews compares the power of
Old Testament sacrifice with “The blood of Christ” and argues that if the blood
of the animal sacrifices has some effect, then “how much more” Jesus’ blood
will do.
Nothing but the blood of Jesus can
cleanse our conscience. Heb.9:9 says, “the gifts and sacrifices being offered
were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.” But Christ’s blood
cleanses our conscience. Having a clear conscience before God is vital. We
cannot lie to our conscience. The blood of Christ purifies us from all sin (1
Jn.1:7). “ Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices
day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He
sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself” (Heb.7:27). In
Heb.9:14, we see all the three members of the Trinity: God the Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit. Purification rituals do not save us, but Christ saves us and equips
us to serve the living God. Our God is the living God. He is alive even today! Through
Christ, we become the children of the living God (Rom.3:26). We Christians are called to serve the living God with a
clear conscience. If we take the literal meaning of the Greek word for serve,
we should serve and worship the living God as long as we live. People try to
please God through their offerings and satisfy themselves. They get some temporary
joy by doing so, but their conscience reminds them of their weaknesses when
they come before God. How much more, then, our service to the living God with a
clear conscience will give us joy and happiness!
APPLICATION: The blood of Jesus
Christ cleanses me from every sin. God’s unconditional love and forgiveness
enable me to have a clear conscience before him. I am not called to follow or
observe useless rituals. My service to God is not just on Sundays but every day
and in every aspect of my life. In all of my life, I will serve the living God.
PRAYER: Father God, thank
you for your providence to have a clear conscience through the sacrifice of
Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit, give me your strength to serve the living God
faithfully today and forever. Amen.
- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573
Day – 318
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