Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

 

Christ’s Blood that Cleanses and Redeems 

Bible Reading: Hebrews 9:11-14

Key Verse:  Hebrews 9:14 - “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

DEVOTION

Hebrews 9 begins with a description of worship in the Old Testament, where the high priest enters the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement, bringing the blood of sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. This sacrificial system, while significant, was temporary and could only cleanse the outward actions of the people. The sacrifices of goats and bulls were never meant to fully purify the heart. They were a shadow pointing to a greater reality—Jesus Christ, the ultimate High Priest, who entered not an earthly tabernacle but the heavenly one, offering His own blood as the perfect sacrifice for sin.
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is the pinnacle of God's plan for redemption. Unlike the repeated sacrifices of animals in the Old Covenant, Jesus' death was once and for all, securing eternal redemption for all who believe in Him. His death was not merely for the external cleansing of sin but for the cleansing of our hearts, our consciences, and our very souls. When Hebrews 9:14 says that the blood of Christ “will cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,” it reveals something profoundly beautiful: through Christ’s sacrifice, we are cleansed not only from external guilt but from the deep, internal stain of sin that clings to our hearts. Sin affects not just what we do but who we are. And it is only by the blood of Christ that we are made truly clean, not by anything we can do but by everything He has done for us.
We can often look at sin and think of it only in terms of what is visible—the outward behaviors, the mistakes we make, the things we do or say that hurt others or dishonor God. However, sin runs deeper. It’s a matter of the heart, a spiritual disease that separates us from God. In our own strength, we cannot cleanse ourselves. We can’t wash away our shame, remove the guilt, or erase the damage we’ve done. But Christ, in His perfect sacrifice, offers us something far greater: an internal cleansing. The blood of Jesus purifies our hearts, giving us a clear conscience before God. It’s not just a temporary covering; it’s a permanent transformation. This is the hope of the gospel: that by faith in Christ, we are not only forgiven but transformed from the inside out. Our old self is crucified with Him, and we are made new.
The hope of the gospel is that no matter how deep the stain of sin, Jesus' blood is more than enough to cleanse us. He doesn’t just forgive; He transforms. He doesn’t just cover over our sin, He removes it, making us holy before a perfect God. In light of this incredible truth, the writer of Hebrews challenges us to reflect on our own lives. Do we understand the full extent of Christ’s sacrifice? Are we living in the freedom that His cleansing blood has secured for us? And do we recognize that this inward transformation compels us to live lives that honor God, serving Him with a pure heart?

   PRAYER

Jesus, thank You for the incredible gift of salvation through Your sacrifice. Your blood has cleansed us from sin, not just on the outside but within, deep in our hearts. Help us to live in the fullness of this truth—no longer bound by guilt or shame, but free to serve You with a pure heart. May our lives reflect the hope of the gospel, and may we continually rest in Your finished work on the cross.

Thought for the day

Jesus’ sacrifice cleanses us from the inside out, offering not just forgiveness but transformation. Today, reflect on the freedom His blood has secured for you—how will you live in the power of that cleansing?



Alex Thomas, LIMTC, NY

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