Once for all

"But when the Messiah arrived, high priest of the superior things of this new covenant, he bypassed the old tent and its trappings in this created world and went straight into heaven’s “tent”—the true Holy Place—once and for all. He also bypassed the sacrifices consisting of goat and calf blood, instead using his own blood as the price to set us free once and for all." -Heb. 9

One of the themes of scripture that thrills me is one mentioned often.  It is something I've written about before, but I can't help myself, I have to talk about it again.  It's a theme Paul declares in Romans, but it rings loud in Hebrews.  It's the declaration that what Jesus did more than 2,000 years ago was enough to take care of and forgive all sins of all people for all time.  Once for all.  I love the completeness of that....that God did a total and finished work.  When Jesus declared on the cross "it is finished" he really meant it, he knew what had just been done and then, and only then did he breathe his last and die.  He didn't quit until "ONCE FOR ALL" was accomplished.

I love that!  I love that all my sins (and yours) has been paid for by what Jesus did.  It leaves nothing for me to do to please God but to trust in what Jesus has done on our behalf.  It's his work that pleases God, it's my trust in that which saves me.  My works are not needed or wanted to atone for sin.  Jesus paid it all.  

And now, my response is to live a life that pleases him as my "thank you" for all he has already done.  I love that what was needed was finished once for all.

One sacrifice for all sins for all people for all times. How wonderful is that?