Confessional Lutheran Ministerium

Hebrews 11:32-40 NKJV

³² And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: ³³ who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. ³⁵ Women received their dead raised to life again.

Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. ³⁶ Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— ³⁸ of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

³⁹ And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, ⁴⁰ God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

Hebrews 11:32-40 continues to paint a portrait of faith that spans generations, showcasing the unwavering commitment of God’s people to His promises. We find both challenge and encouragement in the examples of faith presented in these verses.

The writer of Hebrews recounts the exploits of various Old Testament heroes—Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and obtained promises. Their stories serve as a testament to the power of faith to overcome obstacles and accomplish great things for God’s kingdom.

Yet, alongside these triumphs, the writer also acknowledges the harsh realities faced by many of God’s faithful servants. Some were mocked and scourged, imprisoned and stoned. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and tormented. They endured trials and tribulations, persecution and suffering, yet they remained steadfast in their faith.

Today, we are reminded that the Christian life is not immune to hardship or adversity. We may face trials and tribulations, persecution and suffering, as we journey through this fallen world. Yet, even in the midst of suffering, our faith remains steadfast, anchored in the unchanging promises of God.

The writer of Hebrews concludes by affirming that all these witnesses, though they did not receive the full realization of God’s promises in their lifetime, nevertheless obtained a good testimony through their faith. They looked forward to a heavenly city whose builder and maker is God, knowing that their ultimate citizenship was in heaven.

Thus, we are called to follow in the footsteps of these faithful witnesses, holding fast to the confession of our hope without wavering. Therefore, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit. By that same Spirit give us a right judgment in all things that we may have and always rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Hebrews 11:23-31 NKJV

²³ By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.

²⁴ By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, ²⁶ esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

²⁷ By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. ²⁸ By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

²⁹ By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

³⁰ By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. ³¹ By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

This passage continues to unveil the hall of faith, showcasing the unwavering trust of God’s people throughout history. We find both inspiration and instruction in the accounts of faith presented in these verses.

The writer of Hebrews highlights the faith of Moses and the Israelites, drawing attention to their courageous acts of obedience in the face of adversity. Moses, from his birth, was marked by faith as his parents, by faith, defied the king’s edict to preserve his life. By faith, Moses himself later chose to identify with the people of God rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin in Egypt.

Through faith, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, unafraid of the wrath of Pharaoh, trusting in the unseen hand of God to deliver them. By faith, the Israelites passed through the Red Sea on dry land, while the pursuing Egyptians were drowned, demonstrating the power and faithfulness of God to His people.

Today, we are reminded of the importance of faith in our own lives. Like Moses and the Israelites, we are called to trust in God’s promises and obey His commands, even when they seem difficult or inconvenient. We are called to walk by faith, not by sight, knowing that He who has promised is faithful to fulfill His word.

The writer also mentions other figures of faith, such as Rahab, the prostitute of Jericho, who welcomed the spies in peace and was spared when the walls of Jericho fell. Rahab’s faith serves as a powerful reminder that God’s grace knows no bounds and that He is able to redeem even the most unlikely of individuals.

Thus, we are encouraged by the diversity of faith displayed in these verses. Whether it’s the faith of Moses leading a nation out of bondage or the faith of Rahab in a pagan city, we see that God honors and rewards those who trust in Him. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit. By that same Spirit give us a right judgment in all things that we may have and always rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Hebrews 11:13-22 NKJV

¹³ These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ¹⁴ For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. ¹⁵ And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ¹⁸ of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” ¹⁹ concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

²⁰ By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

²¹ By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

²² By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

Hebrews 11:13-22 continues to unfold the rich tapestry of faith, highlighting the unwavering trust of our spiritual forebears in the promises of God. These verses serve as a beacon of hope and encouragement, reminding us of the faithfulness of God throughout the ages.

The writer of Hebrews begins by emphasizing that these faithful individuals, though they died without receiving the full realization of God’s promises, embraced them from afar. Their faith looked beyond the present circumstances, anchoring itself in the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

We are heirs to this legacy of faith. Like our spiritual ancestors, we walk by faith, not by sight. We trust in the promises of God, even when they seem distant or delayed. For we know that He who has promised is faithful, and He will fulfill His word in His perfect timing.

The writer then highlights the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who lived as strangers and pilgrims in the land of promise, looking forward to a heavenly homeland prepared for them by God. Despite facing trials and tribulations, they held fast to the hope of the coming Messiah, the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises.

Their faith was not passive but active, evidenced by their obedience and trust in God’s guidance. Abraham, the father of faith, obeyed God’s call to leave his homeland and journey to a land he did not know. Isaac, the child of promise, blessed his sons in faith, trusting in God’s sovereign plan. And Jacob, the recipient of the birthright, worshipped in faith, leaning on his staff as he blessed Joseph’s sons.

Today, we are called to emulate the faith of our spiritual ancestors. Like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, may we obediently follow God’s call, trusting in His guidance and provision.

Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit. By that same Spirit give us a right judgment in all things that we may have and always rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Hebrews 11:1-12 NKJV

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ² For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

³ By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

⁴ By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

⁵ By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. ⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

⁷ By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

⁸ By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

¹¹ By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. ¹² Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

This passage stands as a testament to the power of faith and the enduring legacy of those who have gone before us in the journey of faith. These verses serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement as we walk in the footsteps of our spiritual ancestors.

The writer of Hebrews begins by defining faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Faith is not merely a mental ascent to doctrinal truths but a living, active trust in the promises of God. It is the firm conviction that God is faithful to His word, even when circumstances seem contrary.

We hold fast to the doctrine of justification by faith alone. We recognize that our righteousness before God is not based on our own merits but on the finished work of Christ on the cross. Therefore, our faith is anchored in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the author and perfecter of our faith.

The writer then proceeds to illustrate the power of faith through the examples of our spiritual ancestors. From Abel’s offering to Abraham’s obedience, from Sarah’s conception to Isaac’s blessing, we see faith in action, producing fruitfulness and blessing in the lives of God’s people.

These examples serve as a reminder that faith is not passive but active. It moves us to obedience, even when the path seems uncertain. It empowers us to trust in God’s promises, even when they seem impossible. And it sustains us through trials and tribulations, knowing that our citizenship is in heaven, where our true inheritance awaits.

Thus, we are called to walk by faith, not by sight. We are called to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him. May His example inspire us to persevere in the face of adversity, trusting that He who has promised is faithful to fulfill His word. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit. By that same Spirit give us a right judgment in all things that we may have and always rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Hebrews 10:26-39 NKJV

²⁶ For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷ but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. ²⁸ Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ²⁹ Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

³² But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: ³³ partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; ³⁴ for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. ³⁵ Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. ³⁶ For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

³⁷ “For yet a little while,
And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
³⁸ Now the just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.”

³⁹ But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

Hebrews 10:26-39 serves as both a solemn warning and a steadfast encouragement for believers in Christ. In these verses, the writer of Hebrews addresses the danger of willful sin and the necessity of enduring faith in the face of trials and persecution.

These words carry a profound reminder of the centrality of Christ’s sacrifice and the assurance of salvation found in Him alone. The writer begins by cautioning against the deliberate rejection of Christ’s sacrifice for sins. To willfully continue in sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth is to trample upon the grace of God and invite His righteous judgment. Such a stance disregards the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and demonstrates a lack of reverence for the blood of the covenant.

Yet, amidst this sobering warning, there shines a beacon of hope. The writer reminds us of our past endurance in times of persecution and suffering. We are urged not to cast away our confidence in Christ, for it holds a great reward. Through faith and patience, we inherit the promises of God, just as our forebears did.

We find solace in the assurance that God is faithful to His promises. Even in the face of trials and tribulations, we can trust in His unchanging character. He who has promised is faithful, and He will sustain us through every trial.

As we journey through life, let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering. Let us encourage one another in love and good works, spurring each other on toward love and good deeds. For the day of Christ’s return is drawing near, and He will not delay in fulfilling His promises.

Therefore, let us live by faith, trusting in the finished work of Christ on the cross. In Christ, we find the strength to endure, the grace to persevere, and the hope of eternal glory. May His Spirit empower us to live lives worthy of the gospel, shining as lights in a dark and broken world.

Let us pray: O God, you gave your Holy Spirit to your apostles. Give your faithful people what they ask for in their prayers so that those you have given faith may also receive your peace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Psalm 125:1-5 NKJV

125 Those who trust in the Lord
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
² As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever.

³ For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
On the land allotted to the righteous,
Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity.

⁴ Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
And to those who are upright in their hearts.

⁵ As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways,
The Lord shall lead them away
With the workers of iniquity.

Peace be upon Israel!

On this Day of Pentecost, in Psalm 125, we find a melody of gratitude rising from the hearts of believers, resonating through the ages. Dr. Martin Luther, in his insights (in his “Summaries of the Psalms” of 1531), unveils the essence of this psalm as a hymn of thanksgiving, celebrating God’s steadfast protection over His people. “The 125th Psalm is a psalm of thanks,” Luther declares, capturing the essence of gratitude that permeates every verse.

The psalmist begins by affirming the security found in God, likening His protection to the surrounding hills that shield Jerusalem. Just as those hills stand firm, so does the Lord encircle His people, guarding them from every threat. This imagery reminds us that our strength and security rest not in earthly fortifications but in the eternal refuge found in God alone.

Luther further illuminates the psalmist’s confidence in God’s protection. He assures us that God will not tolerate indefinitely the power of the ungodly over His faithful. In a world fraught with spiritual conflict and opposition, this promise brings hope and assurance. The schemes of the faithless, whether master or student, will ultimately be thwarted by the hand of God.

As we reflect on Luther’s words, we cannot help but recognize the echoes of history reverberating in our own time. Just as our forebears faced trials and temptations, so too do we encounter the challenges of our day. Yet, amidst it all, we cling to the unshakeable truth that God remains sovereign over all.

Therefore, let us not grow weary or faint-hearted, but let us remain steadfast in our faith, hope, and trust in the Lord. For He is the one who bestows His blessings upon those who wait upon Him. Even in the midst of adversity, let us take refuge in His unfailing love and find courage in the assurance of His enduring faithfulness. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit. By that same Spirit give us a right judgment in all things that we may have and always rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Psalm 126:1-6 NKJV

126 When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
² Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
³ The Lord has done great things for us,
And we are glad.

⁴ Bring back our captivity, O Lord,
As the streams in the South.

⁵ Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
⁶ He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.

On this Psalm, Luther writes: “This Psalm ends with a remarkable and glorious conclusion; which embraces, in a few words, the whole counsel and immutable decree of God concerning his church; namely, that it behooved Christ first to suffer, and then to be raised up, and exalted of God and glorified. And also, Christians must first fill up a certain measure of afflictions before they enter into their joy; while on the contrary, the men of the world fill up a certain measure of their joy before they are eternally punished and damned.” (A Manuel on the Psalms, pg. 353)

This is one of those truths of the Christian faith that man’s flesh struggles with and avoids. Yet, if Christians are taught the Word of God properly, they’ll be brought to understand that Christ crucified is the central image of God’s Word.

Man, however, can also be presumptuous in thinking that they can easily handle afflictions. Christ dealt with this with the two sons of Zebedee (see Mt. 20:20-23). Johann Spangenberg writes about that encounter: “Because the words of Zebedee’s sons sprang from an utter lack of understanding, Christ was lenient with them… In other words, He is saying, “You will certainly suffer distress and tribulation for My sake, and finally enter into My kingdom through death, and reign there not for a time but eternally. Before that time, however, you will suffer a terrible fall…”

“But I have prayed to the Father for you, that your faith may not fail and be extinguished. Therefore do not worry now about the reward. Only labor and let the Father worry. Everyone will be rewarded according to his labor, and My Father will distribute the reward according to His pleasure. As it says in the psalm, “Those who sow with tears will reap with joy,” (vs 5) And St. Paul says, “If we suffer together, we will also reign together.” (2 Tim. 2:12) (The Christian Year of Grace, Matthew Carver, pg. 428)

Let us pray: O Lord, mercifully sustain us as we inevitably sow in tears, and bring us to rejoice in Christ’s glory. Amen.

Hebrews 10:15-25 NKJV

¹⁵ But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,

¹⁶ “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” ¹⁷ then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” ¹⁸ Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

¹⁹ Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, ²¹ and having a High Priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Verses 19-25 are truly such comforting words that present how Christ has opened the way for us to approach Almighty God without the fear of being consumed in His holiness. The “Therefore” signals that it draws a summary conclusion from the long stretch of exposition in 5:1-10:18, a conclusion that is based, most directly, on the remission of sins through Christ’s bodily offering (v 18) and the perfection that it provides (v 14).

The admonition in 10:22 is also taken ups in the common order for the Divine Service in our Lutheran congregations as the invitation to confession and the reception of the absolution. At St. Paul in Taylorsville, NC it says it this way:

“Beloved in the Lord, having been baptized into the most holy name of the blessed Trinity, it is good and right that we should make confession of our sins before our merciful Father in heaven. Let us, therefore, draw near with a true heart — in sincere repentance and genuine faith — and confess our sins, seeking His mercy and forgiveness for the sake of His beloved Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.” And highlighted below the exhortation are the scriptural texts from which such an exhortation is drawn (Psalm 51:17; Proverbs 28:13; Hebrews 10:22; and 1 John 1:9).

At the beginning of God’s Divine Service that invitation puts the congregation in the same situation as the Hebrew congregation in 10:11-25. Before the members of the congregation may approach God in the heavenly sanctuary, they must be true to God the Father in confession of their sins and receiving His absolution through the blood of Jesus Christ, their great High Priest. Christ is the way from heaven to earth and from earth to heaven, which can be reflected by the aisle that goes from the nave to the Chancel/Altar area.

Let us pray: Gracious Father, we give You thanks for opening Your kingdom to all believers through the way of Christ’s fully atoning merits for the forgiveness of sins. Amen.

Hebrews 10:1-14 NKJV

10 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. ² For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. ³ But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. ⁴ For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

⁵ Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:

“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me.
⁶ In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
You had no pleasure.
⁷ Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.’ ”

⁸ Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), ⁹ then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. ¹⁰ By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

¹¹ And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. ¹² But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. ¹⁴ For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

This section of Hebrews concludes the long exposition on the nature of proper worship (or Divine Service) in the new covenant that began all the way back at chapter 5. After the author has discussed the priesthood of Jesus in a new order in contrast with the old Levitical order (chapters 5 through 7) — along with His priestly service in the heavenly realm (chapters 8 through 9), he now explains how the gain from that service surpasses the benefits of the old order. This shift reveals an emphasize on what Jesus accomplished by his bodily self-offering.

Worship in “shadow” has no power because it has no substance of its own and does not participate directly in the spiritual reality. Proper worship is, however, united with eternal realities and participates in the Kingdom to come. It does so by participating in the Passion and exultation of the incarnate son.

Old Testament sacrifices prefigured Christ’s sacrifice, they were powerless in themselves. An effective sacrifice requires a body prepared, a righteous human being who voluntarily obeys the Father. It’s not hard to figure out who that is, is it?

We rejoice that our Lutheran Confessions profess to a proper scriptural belief: “There are two kinds of sacrifice and no more. One is the atoning sacrifice, that is, a work that makes satisfaction for guilt and punishment. It reconciles God or reconciles His wrath and merits the forgiveness of sins for others. The other kind is the eucharist [thankful], which does not merit the forgiveness of sins or reconciliation. It is practiced by those who have been reconciled, so that we may give thanks or return gratitude for the forgiveness of sins.” (Apology, XXIV 19, emphasis added)

Let us pray: O Lord, continue to open our eyes of faith, that we may have proper discernment of Your Holy Scripture and a right understanding how Christ made full satisfaction and accomplished everything for us. Amen.

Hebrews 9:15-28 NKJV

¹⁵ And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

¹⁶ For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. ¹⁷ For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. ¹⁸ Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. ¹⁹ For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, ²⁰ saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” ²¹ Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. ²² And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

²³ Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; ²⁵ not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— ²⁶ He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. ²⁷ And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, ²⁸ so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

This is a blessed text of God’s Holy Scripture that helps Christian congregations to learn about the purpose of Christ’s death. It deepens the appreciation of the reception of Christ’s Body and Blood in, with, and under the bread and the wine of the Sacrament of the Altar.

The blood of Christ is the blood of the New Testament, the testament that Christ established by His sacrificial death, the testament in His blood by which He conveys His eternal heavenly inheritance to the congregation. The beloved blood of Jesus redeems the receivers from slavery to sin and frees from the debt they owe to God because of their transgression of His Law. By way of Christ’s blood (the way of the cross) true believers receive “remission” from all of their sin (see Mt. 26:28; and v. 22).

As a believer’s conscience was mentioned in yesterday’s devotion, so it plays a part in today’s reading as well. By giving them His blood to drink in His testament, Jesus purifies the conscience of God’s people for service to the living God together with Jesus in heaven itself (vs. 14). When service takes place, by way of the Gospel, it is taking place freely — there is no Law. (see Rom. 7:6 & 7:25-8:17)

The conclusion of this section of text inevitably brings one to be confronted with death and the judgment — and definitely take note of verse 27, for it shuts up any talk of reincarnation. Those who belong to Jesus need not fear God’s condemnation in the last judgement but can eagerly wait for Him to bring His full salvation (what I like to call “full sainting” since on this side of glory we remain both sinner/saints). Christians know that Christ will reappear to usher them into the full reception of the heavenly inheritance — by grace alone, because of Christ’s fully atoning merits alone, through God’s gift of faith alone.

Let us pray: Thank you God for sending Christ to earth to fully merit salvation for us — and for His continued appearance before Your face on our behalf. Amen.