“First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:8-10 NIV)
This passage reminds me to do things right the first time so that I don’t have to do it again; and that it is Christlike to be efficient and effective.
Referring to the Old Testament tradition of priests having to sacrifice annually for the removal of sins – what used to be a tedious, temporary administrative ritual that needed to happen constantly was now replaced with a permanent solution – Jesus’ death granting us eternal forgiveness for our sins.
In addition to being grateful for grace and eternity with God, this verse also taught me good stewardship of time, and to make each investment of it count, be as fruitful as possible, and create things that last in a world that rewards shortcuts and surface-level, temporary pursuits; and devalues quality and ethics.
