14 days before Christmas! When the Israelites left Egypt under Moses' leadership, God gave them commands on how to deal with their sins. The Israelites were instructed to offer clean animals before the Lord as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of their sins. Exodus 12:5 says, "The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats." The blood of the lamb could only cover their sins temporarily; as a result, the Israelites kept daily sacrifices for their sins. Even during the time of our Lord Jesus, before His death on the cross, the Jews were sacrificing clean animals to God for the forgiveness of their sins. The clean animals in the Old Testament are an early indication that God will provide a permanent solution to sin by providing a once and for all cleansing of sin. Our Lord Jesus would be the one who would replace the animal sacrifices with His own life. Hebrews 9:14 says, "Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins." Our Lord Jesus was born on Christmas day to replace the animal sacrificial system so that we can be forgiven of our sins once and for all.
We do not need to offer animal sacrifices repeatedly because Jesus only died once for our sins. Romans 6:10 says, "The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God." We celebrate Christmas because our Lord Jesus was born to save us permanently. The blood of the animal is only temporary, but the blood of our Lord Jesus is permanent. Even to this day, all our sins are being washed by the blood of our Lord Jesus. There is nothing that the blood of our Lord Jesus cannot cleanse as long as we genuinely believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. The moment we confess our sins to God, ask for forgiveness, and are willing to change our sinful ways, God immediately forgives our sins because the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ washes away our sins instantly.
In this Christmas season, we have hope of forgiveness. No matter what we have done this year, we can find forgiveness in our Lord Jesus. There is nothing that God cannot forgive if we humble ourselves to Him, ask for forgiveness, and are willing to turn away from our sinful ways. Let us embrace God's forgiveness this Christmas season.
Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) How did God wash away my sin permanently? What must I do to be forgiven of my sins? Why is it important for God to replace the animal sacrifices in the Old Testament?
Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.
Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven, I am forgiven because the blood of my Lord Jesus has washed away my sins. All my past sins have been forgiven, and there is no more guilt or shame. In this Christmas season, please help me to enjoy your forgiveness so that I may experience the true spirit of Christmas. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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