Daily Devotions
Hebrews
"He had by Himself purged our sins."
Text: Hebrews 1:3
THE PLAGUE OF SIN
Sin may be described in many ways- all bad! The apostle Paul’s offered an accurate description (albeit a disturbing discussion) of the plague of sin. The following features of sin may be highlighted:-
1. It brings about death (Cf. Romans 5:12).
2. Sin ever seeks to reign and to enslave (Cf. Romans 6:12, 14, 17, 20)
3. Sin is deadliest when it seeks to deceive (Cf. Romans 7:8, 11)
4. Sin indwells man as an evil law (Cf. Romans 7:21)
5. It will forever war against mankind (Cf. Romans 7:23)
THE PURGING OF SIN
How wonderful it is to know that there is an answer to the plague of sin! The following text contains one of the most uplifting truths found in the Scriptures.
“When He had by Himself purged our sins?”
Hebrews 1:3d
1. He
The author of Hebrews had both aspects of Christ in mind:-
a) His humanity
b) His Deity
Jesus must be spoken of as both Human and Divine in the same breath (even if we will never be able to fully fathom how they are related)!
2. By himself
This phrase was not found in all the ancient manuscripts. Nevertheless it is a fact that Jesus “by Himself” was sufficient in Himself to do this great work of dealing with the problem of sin.
3. Purged our sins
a) There must of course be forgiveness of all our sins (Cf. 1 John 1:9).
b) But there must also be the work of purging (i.e. cleansing “katharismon” Greek) of our sins.
Jesus is portrayed as the Divine Saviour who came and effectively brought full salvation to sinful mankind! “Hallelujah! What a Saviour!”