Lord of the Atonement

Read Hebrews 9:11-15
“And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance” (v. 15).
He had messed up. Now the police were involved. Next came the court appearance. He entered a guilty plea, and a hefty fine was levied. The fine was more than he could pay, but a friend offered to pay the balance of the fine for him. That is the way atonement works. We messed up. The correct terminology is we sinned. Declared guilty in the court of heaven, the penalty for our sins was much more than we could pay; we deserved to die. That is when the best friend we could ever have stepped to our side to represent us. More than paying a fine, our best friend, Jesus, died for us. His sacrificial, substitutionary death satisfied God's righteousness and holiness and atoned for our sins. Only by faith in the offering that Jesus made for us can we find forgiveness of sins, cleansing of the sinful nature, and the new and eternal life that Jesus provides. Who could plan such an atonement! Only God could do it. While it is beyond our comprehension, this atonement was planned for us before God created the world. In the person of Jesus Christ, the atonement was completed at Calvary. (Mark Avery)

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus. — Robert Lowry

*Jesus made atonement for my sins and yours.*

This devotional is the Friday, June 2, 2017 entry of Opening the Word.