Hebrews 9:24-28 (NRSV)
Read Hebrews 9:24-28 on biblegateway.com
Verse 24For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Verse 25Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; Verse 26for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. Verse 27And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, Verse 28so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Devotion
For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again (From ELW, Setting One). Like the words of today's reading, these words of the liturgy proclaim the heart of the mystery of faith in the power of Christ's resurrection. This mystery of faith we profess is one that changes us. What we anticipate shapes our hope in the midst of joys and trials. What we are privileged to proclaim as sisters and brothers in Jesus is our hope in the promised deliverance through Christ. For as it once was, it is no more. Christ has ushered in a new reality.
Prayer
Christ our High Priest, teach us celebrate the holy that you have ushered into our midst. Amen.