“For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many…” (Heb 9:24-28)

For the Jews the Day of Atonement is the most special day in the year (Lev 16). God’s law requires that once a year the nation gets ready for the holiest day of all. All adults fast and pray. Early morning they gather around the Temple and watch the events.

The success of the day depends on the high priest alone. This is the only day in the year when he has to do all the work by himself. There is no helper. It is also the only day in the year when he is allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, to meet with God face to face. For about a week the high priest leaves his personal house and family and lives in the temple. The only work he does during that time is to study the Word of God, to pray and to get ready to officiate at the Day of Atonement. No other man is allowed in the Sanctuary this day. All eyes are on the High priest. That day he is the solo player. That day, no man can join him to help him. He has to do all the work, the sacrifice and the intercession by himself. The crowd, the worshipers are just spectators, looking at the High Priest from where their salvation comes.

In the same way, Jesus died on the Cross alone to save us from sins. Jesus is our High Priest and Sacrifice in the same time! Salvation is made possible by Christ alone. The Gospel of Christ is the proclamation, the good news that Jesus Christ died for you! Don’t ever forget: Another One died for you! Jesus died once and for all! He will never die again! He lives forever for He is God! Our faith is in Jesus Christ and in His blood shed for the redemption of our souls! Religion makes you miserable. Religion is hopeless! The veil of religion is rent and can never be repaired. Salvation in Christ is much more than religion. It is the New Covenant, the New and Living way by which we can stand before God to worship Him forever. On the Cross, the Blood made it possible that God is now my Father, Jesus is my Savior and heaven my eternal home! That is why no man takes the glory for salvation of our souls. Salvation is of God alone! The glory must go to God alone! This is now our eternal destiny: to follow the Lamb wherever He goes; to endure hardship as discipline and to offer sacrifices of praise! Praise the Lord O my soul!

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God!

Jesus Christ is my Savior and my Lord!

Jesus Christ died on the Cross to save my soul!

The Blood of Jesus was shed for my redemption!

Jesus Christ is my High Priest and my Sacrifice!

God is my Everlasting Father!

Heaven is my eternal home!

I believe!

In Jesus name

Amen!