“But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year. For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. That is why, when Christ came into the world, he said to God, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer.” Hebrews 10:3-5 NLT
It is interesting that Hebrews tells us what the old contract, the Law and the new contract, Christ’s own body accomplished – not only what each demanded, but what each fulfilled. Sola Scriptura, scripture interpreting scripture. If we were to listen to the scribes, pharisees and misinformed friends we would believe that parts of the law are still required, never being satisfied or fulfilled. The New Living Translation used the word, cancelled in verse 9. In greek, it says that Jesus’ own body “anaireó,” took up, away, or made an end to the repetitiveness of sacrifices, of guilt, of memories, of our sins.
What about those memories of sin? If I am honest, they are powerfully humiliating, embarrassing and unproductive. Oh, they help to remind me of just how big of a loser I am, but do nothing to keep me free and faithful in the future. Hebrews suggests that we quit rummaging around in the trash of our past, pulling out the old contract along with the many times we broke it and focus on something completely different – Jesus’ words written over every sin and failure, “PAID IN FULL.”
Instead of ruminating in the past and on my sin, I glance at the benefactor who forever banished my debt! I exchange the memories in my head from guilt to grateful. If you’ve ever had a tax lien, an overwhelming hospital or college debt and had someone pay it for you, cancelling the daily or monthly memories of that awful weight, you’d know what this is like. God doesn’t want us waking up every morning feeling like a worthless worm, a daily beggar laden with remorse, but a child of royalty. A child who’s father cleared our bankruptcy and encouraged us to fully live in the freedom of his grace. Be reminded of the Savior not your sin.
Prayer
Dad,
Like every grand story I’ve ever read, you’ve come to rescue me, not constantly remind me of my past faults, failures and sin. It still pangs me to remember or to tell the stories of my past. I try to focus on your promise, and provision of grace. That too takes faith. As much as I want to please you to have faith that moves forward, fulfilling the Kingdom of God, sometimes it takes faith to be reminded of what you’ve already accomplished, even in me! Thank You.