March 29 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Hebrews 13:9-17:

⁹Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
¹⁰We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
¹¹For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
¹²Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
¹³Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
¹⁴For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
¹⁵By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
¹⁶But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
¹⁷Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Devotional

Christ is our Paschal Lamb. He is also our altar. Upon the altar the sacrifices were burned. Atonement was made for sins, and God was reconciled. The altar represents Christ as He bore us with all our sins, and reconciled us unto God. The altar is the way of approach unto God. Only when atonement is made have we free access unto God, unto the holy of holies. We, like the Israelites of old, must put "the head" with its evil thoughts, "the fat" of our self-righteousness, the "inwards", the wicked inclinations of our heart, "the legs" and feet that are always "prone to wander" — we must put them all upon the altar to be consumed by the flames of God's wrath against sin. That is, we must confess all our sin and guilt.

Only by confession of our sins can we get rid of our evil conscience, and come to the full assurance of faith. God sent his Son "in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin," and "condemned sin in the flesh." Sin is done away. It is blotted out. "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

But let grace be sufficient for us! Let us not turn back to the works of the law! If we still serve tabernacles, we cannot eat of the feast which Christ has prepared for us. "My flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed."

Prayer

Our heavenly Father, we thank Thee, that Christ has opened up a new and living way unto the throne of grace. May we realize that this way is Christ. May we then no longer try to make ourselves acceptable unto Thee by serving the tabernacle, by outward works of the law; but may we lay hold in faith of Jesus Christ and all his benefits. May we be found complete in him. Help us to show forth his praise. Amen.

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Scripture in Devotional: Lev. 1:8, 9; Heb. 10:22; Rom. 8:3; 5:1; John 6:55.

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