Once for All Forgiveness

June 5

Read: Hebrews 7:15-28

Once for All Forgiveness

(Old Law vs. New Law Part 2)

“He (Jesus) has no need, like those (former) high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.” (v.27)

Jesus’ life was both perfect as well as “indestructible”. (v.16) This was the basis for his being made the newer and better high priest of this “better covenant” we have been given by God. (v. 22) This is what the scriptures say:

“This becomes even more evident when another priest (Jesus) arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.” (v.15,16)

This perfect and indestructible life dwells within us in the person and work of Jesus. I know it does not always feel that way day in and day out… but it is TRUE. We need to be reminded of this truth; that is the LIFE that comes through Christ in us. Jesus will remain our high-priest FOREVER. He will never be destroyed. He will never be overcome. This impacts not only his ministry as a priest on our behalf, but also the sacrifice he made by laying down his life.

The previous agreement between God and humanity had many priests come and go… because one would die and a new one would come to take his place. (v.23) This is not the case with Jesus. He is eternal, everlasting, and will not pass away. He can’t be destroyed - not even by death. This was proven at the resurrection. The grave could not hold Jesus. This means that the redemption he offers and brings to his people is just as indestructible and everlasting as he is:

“…he (Jesus) holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (v.24)

Jesus saves us “to the uttermost”! There is no end to the redemption and reconciliation he brings to us with God. Our right standing with God and relationship with God cannot be destroyed or overcome because Jesus is our permanent and forever bond with God. We “draw near to God” on Christ.

Not only is this true of Jesus’ ministry and role as a priest, it is also true of his sacrifice… the sacrifice he made on our behalf. You see Christ is both the high priest offering the sacrifice as well as the sacrifice itself. And the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf is a “once and for all” eternal sacrifice. (v.27, above) Jesus’ sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins was a “once and fro all” event that took place at the cross. It cannot and will not be repeated. Our sins have been forgiven and we have been made near to God by this world of Christ, and it is finished. There is nothing more to be done to forgive your sins. In Christ, it is finished. You have been “saved to the uttermost”. The sacrifice Christ made of himself is “indestructible, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens” because those are all things that are true of him. (v.16,26)

This is the free gift offered to us in Christ. No strings attached. “Once for all forgiveness”. It is not something we can bring about by our pleading or remembering to ask for it…Jesus is perpetually interceding on our behalf anyways. This forgiveness was and is given by Christ, worked out through his eternal sacrifice for us. Do not let anyone or anything - even your own self - tell you otherwise. You are forgiven. Your sins are not on you anymore. Your slate has been wiped clean. You are redeemed. It is finished. This is what it means to have Jesus as your high priest. Love you guys. - JDP