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In the Old Covenant of sacrifices and offerings, the Jewish priests carry out their functions daily for the people to provide temporary covering for their sins. On the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) the High Priest will do his “sin offering” presentation in the Holy of Holies and repeat this action annually on behalf of the Jewish nation. However, in the New Covenant we see Jesus seated at the right hand of God, signifying that His work of Atonement is complete. Jesus presents his body as the ultimate sacrifice for sin to a holy God. This obedient act by Jesus was not for the Jewish nation only but for all the people of world (Jn. 3:16). This sacrifice was completely accepted by God the Father. No more atoning work needs to be done and nothing more is required of us anymore except to accept God’s grace and forgiveness.
Jesus made perfect those who are being made holy – those who set themselves apart for the holy God. Hence, we can see how powerful Jesus’ blood is in saving every person but it is only effective for salvation for those who believe in Jesus and set themselves apart for the service of God. The blood of Jesus has the cleansing power to give us forgiveness of sins for “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9)
This New Covenant that God promises involves no more work on our part. Our sins are totally forgiven and will never be used against us anymore. In the same way, we are also called to forgive others just as we have been forgiven. “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matt. 6:14, 15). When we say we forgive someone, do we mean it? Or do we just try to forget it now and rack it up in the future? True forgiveness is hard to give and almost impossible with our own strength because of our pride. However, let us keep on asking God for the love and strength to enable us to forgive others just as He has forgiven us – genuinely and never using it against the person again.
