Better Sacrifice

"...he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption." – Hebrews 9:12 ESV

Greek
αἰωνίαν λύτρωσιν/aiōnian lytrōsin: to ransom perpetually or for an extended age

Why It Matters
As good 21st-century consumers, many of us have been taught to seek out a good deal. We often brag about the bargains we find and feel cheated if we pay a price that we don’t consider fair value. Saks Fifth Avenue once ran a sale on Jimmy Choo Crystal Encrusted sneakers for $3,995, and more people than you’d expect thought they were getting a bargain! The beauty of a good deal is definitely in the eye of the beholder.

Whether you feel it or not, your life is full of beauty and potential. When Hebrews talks about Jesus as our great High Priest, the author shows that He was both the One who sacrifices and the Sacrifice Himself. He did this in order to secure an aiōnian lytrōsin (perpetual ransom). The tense of the Greek word aiōnian means the benefit of the sacrifice goes on and on forever! And the benefit – the lytrōsin– is specific to purchasing the freedom of one in slavery or debt.

In other words, Jesus paid for our sinful, destructive lives with His Perfect, Authentic Life. Doesn’t that seem like a bad deal for the one who is doing the paying? But rather than feeling ripped off, Hebrews 12 tells us that Jesus endured the Cross for the joy set before Him. You bring Jesus joy! His Sacrifice on the Cross was the Ultimate Demonstration of Love and reminds us that even in the darkest moments of our lives, there is One who declares that your life has limitless worth.

Prayer
God, I come before You so thankful that my one and only life can be leveraged for far more than my effort alone can conjure up. I want my days to be lived out as worship to You, so please help me to create with them by Your Power and Grace. In Jesus’ Name!

Application
What will I create as a way to serve God this week?