Daily Devotion 31 October 2025

The death [Christ] died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:10-11

READING: Hebrews 9: 1-12

The writer of Hebrews seeks to reassure persecuted Jewish Christians that Christ, not the Old Testament Law, is God's ultimate plan for their salvation He reminds readers that God had promised a new covenant, even when the old covenant was still in effect.

The old covenant was the Law of Moses, God’s standards recorded on stone tablets. Chapter 9 focuses on the fact that the old covenant featured aspects which were meant only as symbols of the ''true'' high priesthood of Christ.

The new covenant was made by Christ at Calvary. Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind, since He alone has the power to change us from within. The new covenant now writes God’s laws in the minds and on the hearts of believers and He forgives our sins.

The instructions God gave to Moses in the Old Testament involved the construction of a tabernacle, or a tent, which was used as a movable temple by the people of Israel. It contained specific objects, including two rooms. The curtains which designated the Holy Place and Most Holy Place symbolised man's separation from God (v8). Everything done in the temple was symbolic or "shadows" of the future (Hebrews 8:5; 10:1), when Christ would completely fulfil God's plan (Hebrews 9:23–24). The earthly nature of the temple, as well as the limited nature of the animal sacrifices, pointed to the need for a more permanent, spiritual solution to sin (vs9–10).

Old Testament sacrifices purified persons outwardly, making them ceremonially ‘clean’ so they could approach God. But Jesus entered heaven with His own blood so that “once for all” He might “do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (v9)

Rather than being a shadow or symbol, Christ's actions are the ‘real deal’.

Jesus’ death not only provides salvation, but also great confidence for Christians. We can step boldly before the Lord in prayer, and boldly into the world in service and witness. Jesus has already won the battle for us against sin. We can count ourselves “dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus”. (Romans 6:11)

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, we thank You that You have already won the battle with sin, and no one can take away our salvation. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. We thank You. Amen.