Hebrews 10:11-14 [15-18] 19-25 (NRSV)
Read Hebrews 10:11-14 [15-18] 19-25 on biblegateway.com
Verse 11And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. Verse 12But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, "he sat down at the right hand of God," Verse 13and since then has been waiting "until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet." Verse 14For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.[ Verse 15And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, Verse 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," Verse 17he also adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." Verse 18Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.]
Verse 19Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, Verse 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), Verse 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, Verse 22let 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. Verse 23Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. Verse 24And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, Verse 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Devotion
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.
Prayer
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.