Mission Complete; Proceed to Launch

This past weekend central Florida buzzed with excitement as the world celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. Three men catapulted into space from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and on July 20, 1969, two of them walked on the moon. The mission was a success! Previous missions and countless people made this moment possible by plotting the course and paving the way. Apollo 11 was just one of several missions in the ongoing work of NASA. As we have not reached the limits of the universe, NASA’s work is never done.

With all things NASA surrounding me this past weekend, I could not get the words “mission” and “launch” out of my head. Today we are continuing our Once For All series by looking at Hebrews 10:11-14. Unlike any mission undertaken on earth, Jesus perfectly completed His mission, and launched those who believe into ongoing life with Him.

Mission Complete

And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. (Hebrews 10: 11-13)

Among the furnishings in the Tabernacle, there were no chairs. Under no circumstance did the priests have time to sit; their work under the covenant of the law was never done. Only a perfect High Priest, the Lamb of God— only Jesus— could offer a sacrifice that effectively and completely removed sin. Having completed his salvific mission, Jesus did what no earthly priest could do— He “sat down.”

Having completed his salvific mission, Jesus did what no earthly priest could do— He “sat down.” #OnceForAllClick To Tweet

An “eDevotion” from GrowingChristians.org unpacks the finished work of Christ as threefold. The perfect sacrifice, Jesus completely absorbed God’s wrath that is our due (1 John 4:10); fully paid the ransom to buy us back from sin (Ephesians 1:7), and forever closed the gap between God and man (2 Corinthians 5:18). With the words, “It is finished…” (John 19:30), Jesus closed out His mission; He fulfilled His purpose.

Nineteenth century preacher and contemporary of Charles Spurgeon, Octavius Winslow, said it beautifully,

He had finished all the ancient types, predictions, and shadows; he tore the veil in twain and opened the bright pathway for the sinner to retrace his steps back to paradise, back to God, and once more feel the warm embrace of his Father’s forgiving love.

Proceed to Launch

Jesus removed all the barriers to God, making new life with God available to those who believe (Galatians 2:20). He sits next to the Father, interceding for us, ready for us to launch into life with Him (Romans 8:34). Hebrews 10:14 speaks our future with God:

For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Whereas, Christ’s work is done; the Holy Spirit’s job has just begun. Jesus has set believers free from the wrath, penalty, and separation of sin; so, we can be sanctified, become like Him (Romans 8:29). The phrase, “are being sanctified,” indicates action that is happening now and into the future until it’s culmination in Heaven. The Holy Spirit moves and works in us to this end.

We cooperate with the Spirit in sanctification because God’s love compels us, and faith propels us.

We cooperate with the Spirit in sanctification because God’s love compels us, and faith propels us. #OnceForAllClick To TweetThe apostle Paul prays a prayer for the Ephesians that combines these two elements. With this prayer Paul launches believers further toward the life God has prepared for us. May this prayer be yours today:

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:17b-21, NIV)

Thank you, Jesus for being our Great High Priest who offered the only sacrifice that would forever take away sin and make the way for eternal life with God!