2nd Week in Ordinary Time : Saturday 23rd January 2021

What can we learn today from Hebrews?  Historically, the tent (tabernacle) was built under Moses (following God’s command — Exodus 40). And annually, it was the High Priest’s duty to enter the most holy place in the tent (“Holy of Holies”— second compartment), to offer blood from goats and bull calves — for the atonement of sins of the people (Lev 16).

However, Hebrews says, “But NOW Christ has come, as the high priest” (v 11) and “entered the sanctuary” (Holy of Holies — not made by human hands), “once and for all…taking with him not the blood of goats and bull calves, but His own blood” (v 12) — the blood of the Son of God! In that one act, on the Cross, the annual atonement for our sins became no longer necessary. His voluntary death on the cross offered “through the eternal spirit” was “the perfect sacrifice to God” (v 14). We are NOW redeemed eternally. Our inner self (conscience) is NOW purified, and our service is NOW sanctified.

How shall we serve God in 2021? Remembering what Christ has done for us, let us serve God with holiness, devotion, gratitude and joy. Let us serve God with a heart filled with worship. And let us serve God whole-heartedly!

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your “perfect sacrifice to God”. Grant us daily, the willingness, courage, strength and sacrificial spirit, to do Your will, for the good of others, our country and our world.