Hebrews 9:11-14 (NIVUK)
11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, so obtaining eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 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!
There’s a famous scene in Macbeth where the sleepwalking Lady Macbeth scrubs furiously at her hands exclaiming, ‘Out, damned spot! Out, I say!’ Having murdered King Duncan, she has discovered that whilst blood can be washed out with soap, a guilty conscience is not so easy to deal with. It is the same for us, it takes more than soap and water to cleanse us internally, or for that matter Old Testament sacrifices. The great thing is, in Christ, we have the answer, a sacrifice that cleanses us from within.
Thank you Lord for your redeeming love. In response, we commit ourselves to following Christ today through the strength of the Spirit.
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