He [Jesus] has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin
by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Heb. 9:26–28
Lord Jesus, there are so many compelling reasons why you are singularly worthy of being loved, praised, trusted, and served. But we are prone to Gospel-amnesia, and there is so much else competing for our attention, thinking, and feeling right now.
As this Scripture says, you expressly came into the world of time zones, molecules, and sinners to be our great and gracious Savior. The price was your life of perfect obedience—including death on the cross. May we never think of your sacrifice with less than face-down, hands-up wonder. The implications of your sacrifice are astounding.
By your once-and-for-all sacrifice, you exhausted the penalty of our sins—all of it. Though we’re still destined to die, we have passed from deserved judgment, to unimaginable delight; from the fear of death, to longing for heaven; from living as spiritual orphans, to being our Father’s beloved children.
When you “appear a second time,” you’ll rid us, and the entire cosmos, of every semblance of sin, brokenness, and evil. There will be no more racism or discrimination, “left” or “right”; pandemics, or even hangnails; “have’s” and “have not’s.”
And in the meantime, and these mean times, you are our active Intercessor and Advocate; perfect Righteousness and reigning King. Jesus, do we love you? Who or what else even compares? Wait for you? Like a much-loved Bride longing for her much-anticipated Wedding Day. Even so, Lord, come. So very Amen we pray, in your perfect-everything name.