“The old plan was only a hint of the good things in the new plan. Since that old “law plan” wasn’t complete in itself, it couldn’t complete those who followed it. No matter how many sacrifices were offered year after year, they never added up to a complete solution. If they had, the worshipers would have gone merrily on their way, no longer dragged down by their sins. But instead of removing awareness of sin, when those animal sacrifices were repeated over and over they actually heightened awareness and guilt. The plain fact is that bull and goat blood can’t get rid of sin. That is what is meant by this prophecy, put in the mouth of Christ.” (Hebrew 10:1-5 MSG)

This is truth: The blood of animals cannot forgive our sins. We are doomed!

Or are we? Let’s remember what Jesus did for us.

The law of Moses dictated that these animals be offered as sacrifices. These animals had never done anything wrong. It is humankind who makes mistakes, and the animal sacrifices were only to point the people of Israel to Jesus. No one can be forgiven by killing any animal!

I invite you to meditate on these Bible verses: “For Christ didn’t enter the earthly version of the Holy Place; he entered the Place Itself, and offered himself to God as the sacrifice for our sins. He doesn’t do this every year as the high priests did under the old plan with blood that was not their own; 26 if that had been the case, he would have to sacrifice himself repeatedly throughout the course of history. But instead he sacrificed himself once and for all, summing up all the other sacrifices in this sacrifice of himself, the final solution of sin. Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences. Christ’s death was also a one-time event, but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever. And so, when he next appears, the outcome for those eager to greet him is, precisely, salvation.” (Hebrews 10: 24-28 MSG)

There is more: “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10: 19- 23 MSG).

I remember once when I was still teaching, the vice-principal at my school made a big mistake and it ended up hurting several students at school. She was a Christian, and I approached her with love and brought it to her attention. She hadn’t realized how much she had hurt those students and she felt bad. She then went to talk to them and ask their forgiveness. Those students felt special. They felt loved. They readily forgave their vice-principal, and the vice-principal once again had peace.

This is how it is when we confess our sins to Jesus. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, and when we confess our sin and repent, Jesus forgives us and we have peace. Forgiveness is always better!

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “When Grace Came Down” devotional series, please click here.)