What comes to mind when you hear the word abolish? Do you think of abolishing old laws or antiquated traditions? What about sanctification? Is it some big religious word you don’t know what it means? Or is it something you are striving for? Are you trying to earn it?
The abolishing of old laws and traditions can be very good, liberating, and exhilarating. We can all think of things that were legal in the past that are no longer legal and be glad they are not. Abolishing the negatives to bring about positives is progress in civility.
But when we start speaking of sanctification, even some who have been members of churches for decades are not really sure what it means. We may think that being sanctified is only for those who are leaders in the church. In fact, far too many I know think that way. Yet, we are wrong when we think that way.
Jesus came to abolish the sacrificial system the Jews had been practicing for hundreds of years. He did so to establish a new system. One without the need for additional sacrifices. No longer do we need to sacrifice sheep, goats, pigeons, or doves. No longer do we need to bring grain and bread to the altar. Jesus has made the ultimate sacrifice to rid the world of the need to continue to sacrifice.
In the process of making His sacrifice, Jesus sanctified those who believe in Him. What does that mean? It means we are seen as clean and pure in the eyes of God. We are seen through the sacrifice of Christ. We can’t earn it. We don’t deserve it. But Jesus acted on our behalf and purified or sanctified us before a Holy God. Certainly something for us to be thankful for.
I pray we all understand the sacrifice Jesus made. I pray we know that His sacrifice has sanctified us. I pray each one of us knows we are pure in God’s eyes and thank Jesus for it. Jesus sacrificed for us. Jesus has sanctified us. Jesus has made us pure. Thank Jesus for His sacrifice.
Hebrews 10:9b-10 He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Marty Pressey 