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Hebrews 9:23-28<br />
23 It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but<br />
the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary<br />
made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear<br />
for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the<br />
high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.26 Otherwise Christ<br />
would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for<br />
all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.27 Just as people are<br />
destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the<br />
sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are<br />
waiting for him.<br />
We are all aware that Jesus died to save us from our sins. He<br />
did this once, for all of our sins. He did not die again and again for every sin that we<br />
commit.<br />
While reading this passage, I noted there is some contrast. Verse 27 says people are<br />
destined to die once, and then face judgment. However, when Christ died, he will appear<br />
a second time, not to face judgment, but to bring salvation to those who wait for<br />
him. You would expect this to be the same as man, to die and then face judgment. He<br />
will come back one day to finalize our salvation.<br />
I think one thing is certain: we will all one day die. When we die and stand before him<br />
as our righteous Judge, will we face judgment or receive His salvation?<br />
After I read this passage, another verse popped in my head. Caroline has a monthly<br />
Bible verse that she learns at her preschool and she will often recite them at home.<br />
One of those verses is Acts 16:31 - Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be<br />
saved. Yes. Let us all believe and trust in the Lord so that when our day comes, we are<br />
greeted with salvation.<br />
Dear Lord, please help to guide us to the path that leads us towards salvation. Amen.<br />
- Deb Varco
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