Monday
What Can Wash Away My Sin?
“For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” Hebrews 10:4(ESV)
In 1519, Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés landed on the shores of Mexico with 600 men, ready to conquer the Aztec Empire. His men were nervous about the mission ahead and longed to return to the safety of Spain. To make a point, Cortés ordered all the ships to be burned. Retreat was no longer an option. The only way forward was total commitment.
The old covenant sacrifices were a little like those ships. They were a system in place that allowed people to feel like there was always another option, another sacrifice, another ritual, another temporary covering for sin. But Hebrews 10 reminds us that these sacrifices were never enough. They covered guilt but could not cleanse it. They had to be repeated endlessly, showing their limitations.
God’s plan was never for His people to rely on bulls and goats but to point them toward the true Lamb of God. When Jesus came, He didn’t offer another temporary covering. He burned the ships of sin. His sacrifice was once-for-all, leaving no room for retreat into old systems. That’s why Robert Lowry’s hymn still resonates today: “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” The cross reminds us that sin isn’t just managed, it’s removed. We don’t have to keep patching our brokenness with rituals or self-effort. The blood of Jesus has washed it clean, once and for all.
Reflection Questions:
1. Where have you been tempted to rely on “good works” instead of Christ’s finished work?
2. How does knowing Jesus’ sacrifice was once-for-all change the way you approach God today?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You that my sin isn’t just covered—it’s washed away. Help me trust in Christ’s finished work and not in my own attempts to fix myself.
“For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” Hebrews 10:4(ESV)
In 1519, Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés landed on the shores of Mexico with 600 men, ready to conquer the Aztec Empire. His men were nervous about the mission ahead and longed to return to the safety of Spain. To make a point, Cortés ordered all the ships to be burned. Retreat was no longer an option. The only way forward was total commitment.
The old covenant sacrifices were a little like those ships. They were a system in place that allowed people to feel like there was always another option, another sacrifice, another ritual, another temporary covering for sin. But Hebrews 10 reminds us that these sacrifices were never enough. They covered guilt but could not cleanse it. They had to be repeated endlessly, showing their limitations.
God’s plan was never for His people to rely on bulls and goats but to point them toward the true Lamb of God. When Jesus came, He didn’t offer another temporary covering. He burned the ships of sin. His sacrifice was once-for-all, leaving no room for retreat into old systems. That’s why Robert Lowry’s hymn still resonates today: “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” The cross reminds us that sin isn’t just managed, it’s removed. We don’t have to keep patching our brokenness with rituals or self-effort. The blood of Jesus has washed it clean, once and for all.
Reflection Questions:
1. Where have you been tempted to rely on “good works” instead of Christ’s finished work?
2. How does knowing Jesus’ sacrifice was once-for-all change the way you approach God today?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You that my sin isn’t just covered—it’s washed away. Help me trust in Christ’s finished work and not in my own attempts to fix myself.
Tuesday
What Can Make Me Whole Again?
“By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10 (ESV)
In 1831, the leaning of the Tower of Pisa was noticed almost immediately after construction. For centuries, engineers tried every trick to straighten it. Dirt was added, weights were shifted, and supports were installed. Yet nothing worked. Finally, in the 1990s, a massive restoration project stabilized it, although not perfectly upright, making it safe from collapse.
Sin does the same thing to us; it leaves us leaning, unstable, and unable to stand upright before God. Like engineers trying to fix the tower, people have attempted numerous ways to straighten their lives: through religion, morality, achievement, and even denial. But no effort could truly fix the tilt.
Hebrews 10:10 tells us the answer: through Jesus’ once-for-all offering, we are sanctified, set apart, and made whole. The old sacrifices couldn’t restore our spiritual posture. But Jesus’ sacrifice doesn’t just stabilize us temporarily; it restores us fully to God. Wholeness is not about perfection in our efforts; it’s about being anchored in Christ.
The Leaning Tower still tilts, but believers don’t have to. In Christ, we are made upright, whole, and acceptable before God. What can make us whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Reflection Questions:
1. Where do you feel “tilted” in your walk with God right now?
2. How does Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice give you confidence to stand upright before Him?
Prayer:
Father, thank You for making me whole in Christ. I cannot fix myself, but You have restored me by Your blood. Teach me to live in that wholeness.
“By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10 (ESV)
In 1831, the leaning of the Tower of Pisa was noticed almost immediately after construction. For centuries, engineers tried every trick to straighten it. Dirt was added, weights were shifted, and supports were installed. Yet nothing worked. Finally, in the 1990s, a massive restoration project stabilized it, although not perfectly upright, making it safe from collapse.
Sin does the same thing to us; it leaves us leaning, unstable, and unable to stand upright before God. Like engineers trying to fix the tower, people have attempted numerous ways to straighten their lives: through religion, morality, achievement, and even denial. But no effort could truly fix the tilt.
Hebrews 10:10 tells us the answer: through Jesus’ once-for-all offering, we are sanctified, set apart, and made whole. The old sacrifices couldn’t restore our spiritual posture. But Jesus’ sacrifice doesn’t just stabilize us temporarily; it restores us fully to God. Wholeness is not about perfection in our efforts; it’s about being anchored in Christ.
The Leaning Tower still tilts, but believers don’t have to. In Christ, we are made upright, whole, and acceptable before God. What can make us whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Reflection Questions:
1. Where do you feel “tilted” in your walk with God right now?
2. How does Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice give you confidence to stand upright before Him?
Prayer:
Father, thank You for making me whole in Christ. I cannot fix myself, but You have restored me by Your blood. Teach me to live in that wholeness.
Wednesday
Nothing But the Blood of Jesus
“But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” Hebrews 10:12 (ESV)
In the 19th century, Charles Spurgeon told a story of a young man who was always restless at work. He could never sit down because his tasks were never truly finished. One day, his boss walked in, saw him still standing, and said, “Son, when you finally sit down, it will mean the work is done.”
The priests of Israel never sat down. Day after day, they offered sacrifices that could never finish the job. Their constant standing was a symbol of unfinished business. However, Hebrews 10 states that when Jesus offered Himself once and for all, He sat down at the right hand of God. His sitting wasn’t a break; it was a declaration. The work of redemption was finished.
Unlike temporary sacrifices, Jesus’ blood didn’t just postpone judgment; it canceled sin completely. The fact that He sat down shows us that nothing more needs to be added. His blood is enough.
So when you feel restless in your spiritual life, like you need to “do more” to earn God’s favor, remember Jesus is seated. The work is complete. You don’t stand condemned; you sit secure in Him.
Reflection Questions:
1. How does Jesus being “seated” encourage you in your struggles with guilt or shame?
2. What does it mean for you to rest in His finished work this week?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You that You sat down because the work was done. Teach me to live from a place of rest in Your finished sacrifice.
“But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” Hebrews 10:12 (ESV)
In the 19th century, Charles Spurgeon told a story of a young man who was always restless at work. He could never sit down because his tasks were never truly finished. One day, his boss walked in, saw him still standing, and said, “Son, when you finally sit down, it will mean the work is done.”
The priests of Israel never sat down. Day after day, they offered sacrifices that could never finish the job. Their constant standing was a symbol of unfinished business. However, Hebrews 10 states that when Jesus offered Himself once and for all, He sat down at the right hand of God. His sitting wasn’t a break; it was a declaration. The work of redemption was finished.
Unlike temporary sacrifices, Jesus’ blood didn’t just postpone judgment; it canceled sin completely. The fact that He sat down shows us that nothing more needs to be added. His blood is enough.
So when you feel restless in your spiritual life, like you need to “do more” to earn God’s favor, remember Jesus is seated. The work is complete. You don’t stand condemned; you sit secure in Him.
Reflection Questions:
1. How does Jesus being “seated” encourage you in your struggles with guilt or shame?
2. What does it mean for you to rest in His finished work this week?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You that You sat down because the work was done. Teach me to live from a place of rest in Your finished sacrifice.
Thursday
His Sacrifice Defeated the Enemy
“Waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.” Hebrews 10:13 (ESV)
After World War II officially ended in 1945, a Japanese soldier named Hiroo Onoda hid in the Philippine jungle for 29 years. He refused to believe the war was over, thinking reports of peace were enemy tricks. For decades, he lived as if defeat had not already been declared.
That’s how Satan operates. He has already been defeated by the cross, yet he continues to fight as though the battle is ongoing. Hebrews 10 reminds us that Christ is waiting for His enemies to be made His footstool. Victory is not in doubt; it is certain.
When Jesus shed His blood, He disarmed the powers of darkness (Colossians 2:15). Satan may still whisper lies, but his authority is broken. His defeat is sealed. The cross was D-Day; the final surrender is coming. Until then, believers live in the confidence that the enemy’s power has already been crushed under Christ’s feet. You don’t fight for victory, you fight from victory. Jesus’ blood already secured it.
Reflection Questions:
1. In what areas of life are you tempted to live as if the enemy still has control?
2. How can you walk in Christ’s victory this week?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You that the enemy has already been defeated. Teach me to resist his lies and stand firm in Your victory.
“Waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.” Hebrews 10:13 (ESV)
After World War II officially ended in 1945, a Japanese soldier named Hiroo Onoda hid in the Philippine jungle for 29 years. He refused to believe the war was over, thinking reports of peace were enemy tricks. For decades, he lived as if defeat had not already been declared.
That’s how Satan operates. He has already been defeated by the cross, yet he continues to fight as though the battle is ongoing. Hebrews 10 reminds us that Christ is waiting for His enemies to be made His footstool. Victory is not in doubt; it is certain.
When Jesus shed His blood, He disarmed the powers of darkness (Colossians 2:15). Satan may still whisper lies, but his authority is broken. His defeat is sealed. The cross was D-Day; the final surrender is coming. Until then, believers live in the confidence that the enemy’s power has already been crushed under Christ’s feet. You don’t fight for victory, you fight from victory. Jesus’ blood already secured it.
Reflection Questions:
1. In what areas of life are you tempted to live as if the enemy still has control?
2. How can you walk in Christ’s victory this week?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You that the enemy has already been defeated. Teach me to resist his lies and stand firm in Your victory.
Friday
His Sacrifice Perfectly Fulfills God’s Promise
“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Hebrews 10:17 (ESV)
In 2017, a man in Germany accidentally threw away his wife’s wedding ring while cleaning up after Christmas. Realizing what he had done, he spent hours digging through trash and even followed the garbage truck to the city dump. After frantic searching, he finally found the ring stuck inside a potato peel, dirty but intact. Newspapers had a field day with the story, joking that love was saved by mashed potatoes.
We laugh at how much effort he went through to recover something that was supposed to be safe, but it’s a picture of how we often treat our sin. Even though God promises that He has buried our sins and remembers them no more, we keep digging through the garbage of our past to retrieve what He has already removed.
Hebrews 10 reminds us that Christ’s sacrifice changed everything. Under the old covenant, sins were remembered year after year through the repeated sacrifice of animals. But because of Jesus’ once-for-all offering, God declares that He will remember our sins no more. This doesn’t mean He forgets like a distracted person; it means He chooses not to hold them against us.
Think about that: the all-knowing God has decided to never bring up what Christ has already covered. If God isn’t rummaging through the trash of your past, why should you? His forgiveness is not partial, temporary, or probationary. It is complete and final.
Reflection Questions:
1. What old “garbage” are you tempted to dig back up even though God has already forgiven it?
2. How does God’s deliberate choice to remember your sins no more free you to live in joy?
Prayer:
Father, thank You that in Christ, my sins are gone forever. Help me to stop digging through the past and instead rejoice in the freedom Your forgiveness provides.
“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Hebrews 10:17 (ESV)
In 2017, a man in Germany accidentally threw away his wife’s wedding ring while cleaning up after Christmas. Realizing what he had done, he spent hours digging through trash and even followed the garbage truck to the city dump. After frantic searching, he finally found the ring stuck inside a potato peel, dirty but intact. Newspapers had a field day with the story, joking that love was saved by mashed potatoes.
We laugh at how much effort he went through to recover something that was supposed to be safe, but it’s a picture of how we often treat our sin. Even though God promises that He has buried our sins and remembers them no more, we keep digging through the garbage of our past to retrieve what He has already removed.
Hebrews 10 reminds us that Christ’s sacrifice changed everything. Under the old covenant, sins were remembered year after year through the repeated sacrifice of animals. But because of Jesus’ once-for-all offering, God declares that He will remember our sins no more. This doesn’t mean He forgets like a distracted person; it means He chooses not to hold them against us.
Think about that: the all-knowing God has decided to never bring up what Christ has already covered. If God isn’t rummaging through the trash of your past, why should you? His forgiveness is not partial, temporary, or probationary. It is complete and final.
Reflection Questions:
1. What old “garbage” are you tempted to dig back up even though God has already forgiven it?
2. How does God’s deliberate choice to remember your sins no more free you to live in joy?
Prayer:
Father, thank You that in Christ, my sins are gone forever. Help me to stop digging through the past and instead rejoice in the freedom Your forgiveness provides.
Posted in Jesus Is Better: The Book of Hebrews
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