Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Hebrews 9

Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 9:25-26

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, where John Piper examines Jesus' perfect sacrifice of Himself on the cross, and he contrasts Jesus' sacrifice with that of the Jewish high priests in the Old Testament.  Unlike the Jewish high priests, who "came into the holy place yearly with animal sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people," Jesus only had to die once - His sacrifice was perfect - done for all humanity for all times.  Piper points out how the author of Hebrews underscores this point by describing how it is "unthinkable" it would be for Jesus to have to sacrifice Himself yearly as the Jewish high priests did in bringing their sacrifices yearly. Piper shares how this is unthinkable "[b]ecause it would make the death of the Son of God look weak and ineffective. If it has to be repeated year after year for centuries, where would be the triumph? Where would we see the infinite value of the sacrifice of the Son of God? It would vanish in the shamefulness of a yearly suffering and death."  Piper then wraps up the devotion with an exhortation to be encouraged and not take "for granted that there should be a welcome for sinners in heaven....There was shame in the cross, but it was triumphant shame. “[Jesus despised] the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). This is the gospel of the glory of Christ, the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4). I [John Piper] pray that no matter how dirty or unholy with sin you are, you will see the light of this glory and believe."  Be encouraged!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who died for me and for all of humanity for all of time as a perfect sacrifice for my sins - so that I could have life now in abundance and for eternity.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God and such blessings!  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus[.]

Romans 3:21-31

For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus[.] Romans 3:22-24

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I moved to chapter four The Glory of Christ's Salvation, which covers Romans 3:21-31. My focus this morning is Romans 3:21-24(a). As a starting point - without referencing my commentary - I focus on Paul's description of righteousness "manifested apart from the law".  The Jews saw the law as the basis for righteousness but Paul is writing that since we all sin even with the law, then no matter how well-versed we are with the law, including in deeds in obedience to the law, we are not righteous. As a matter of fact, Paul has just stated as such in 3:9-18 - not a single person is righteous.  Paul goes on to state that ultimately there is righteousness only through and with Jesus. Also in v21 is Paul's phrase that "the Law and the Prophets" bear witness to it - referencing v22 where there is a clear implication that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and the many prophecies from the Old Testament prophets who wrote about the promised Messiah. V23 is a oft-quoted verse about our fallen nature and v24 builds our hope as we have justification and redemption through Christ.

As an introduction to the this chapter, my commentary refers to Romans 3:21-26, by way of quoting several other commentaries, as perhaps the most important in the entire book of Romans, as each of the "mega themes of the saving righteousness of God" are present, including justification, redemption, propitiation, grace, faith, and more!

This morning in particular, the focus starts specifically with "intervention" as described in 3:21. This verse starts with "But now" as Paul pivots from our fallen state to the hope in Jesus Christ. My commentary then moves to "justification" and how we "become right with God" - righteous by faith in Christ and not of our own effort (see also Philippians 3:9). The commentary describes this justified status as having a "new identity, a new family, and a new hope of enjoying a new creation."  My commentary also encourages us to not forget from v24 that we are justified by grace as a gift (see also Ephesians 2:8-9).

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who intervened, justified and redeemed me from my sin and gave me righteousness in Your sight - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift.  It is only by grace - thank You!  But again I am not deserving as my sin continues daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

Exodus 32-34

Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened. Exodus 32:14

Day 30 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the Israelites' failure to remain faithful in God as Moses was with God on Mount Sinai.

Aaron holds much of the responsibility of this failure as he leads the Israelites in an effort to create an idol (see Exodus 32:2-6 where he makes no attempt to encourage the Israelites to remain faithful, and 32:22-24 where Aaron makes feeble excuses for his lack of courage to confront the Israelites in their sin).

Although God's anger burns, Moses intercedes on the Israelites' behalf and God's anger relents and He shows great compassion and mercy - see Exodus 32:11-14.  He renews his covenant with the Israelites.  Moses' act to intercede on behalf of the Israelites foreshadows what Jesus does for all of us as believers - He willingly lays down His life to atone for all sin for all of humanity.  Just as Moses intercedes for the Israelites, Jesus intercedes for us - we all need a savior, and Jesus is that Savior.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who is full of compassion and mercy - for the Israelites...and for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love, compassion, and mercy.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.