Scripture: Hebrews 10:10-14, ESV
"And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."
Growing up, we used to watch the Comrades Marathon which was run every year in South Africa. This is a gruelling ultra-marathon stretches approximately 88kms, and is as far as I know the world’s oldest ultra-marathon. This race is tough. Runners collapse along its winding path all the time, and when the athletes stumble over the finish line they are often taken into a recovery tent. Here they sit down, rehydrate and get massages for their sore muscles.
That is the picture we get of Jesus in this passage. Someone who has completed his task. The author of Hebrews continues to explain how Jesus’ sacrifice is superior to the sacrifices offered by the priests in the Old Testament. Yet here, he again introduces a novel thought. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God…
That Jesus sat down shows us two things.
Firstly, his work was done. Never again would a sacrifice be needed to atone for sins. The final and perfect sacrifice had come and had completed the work. We don’t have to offer sacrifices for our sins any more because Jesus has done it.
Secondly, Jesus sat down at God’s right hand. This is a place of authority. In some ways it is like our law courts, where the court is not in session until the judge sits down. Similarly rabbis would sit down to teach. To sit is to have authority. But notice where Jesus sits: He sits at God’s right hand. Here Jesus intercedes for us and stands between our sin and God the Father.
Think about that for a moment. Right now Jesus is interceding between you and God. His work makes you clean before God the Father continually. Right now and forever more.
How fully our sins are forgiven!
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you that even now you are seated at God’s right hand, interceding for us. Thank you for ensuring that my sin is forever washed away.
Amen.
Spiritual Challenge:
Think of an area of your life where you haven’t yet surrendered authority to Jesus. Commit to taking one step in the right direction today.
Take a Seat Jesus