Jesus, the Father’s Grand Finale

For many, there was nothing like seeing fireworks as a child. If you grew up in the United States, that day was July 4 every year. Most of us have fond memories of the cookouts, the music, and getting together with family. Yet, what we looked forward to the most was the fireworks. The buildup and anticipation on that day was incredible.

My family and I used to watch the fireworks on a military base. The Air Force would host the grand celebration, complete with a concert from the renowned Armed Forces band. The food was good and time with family was fun, but that was just the beginning. The real fun began when it got dark. That’s when the fireworks would finally start booming.

They were mesmerizing when they lit up the night sky; as a child you were filled with awe. Nothing could compare to the grand finale. It was the moment we had all been waiting for—the culmination of the celebration, the ultimate ode to freedom. They always saved the biggest and best fireworks for last. You never wanted the culmination to end.

I see this on an infinitely larger scale when reading the book of Hebrews. To me, I see Jesus as proven to be the grand finale of the Old Covenant:

Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:25-26 NIV, emphasis mine)

Jesus victoriously fulfilled the Old Covenant through His suffering. Unlike fireworks, what He endured was not beautiful. It was gruesome beyond imagination. His pure blood was shed to restore us to right relationship with our Father. Jesus is our High Priest who entered the heavenly tabernacle to offer His blood on our behalf.

The entire Old Covenant had been pointing towards His death and resurrection, the culmination of the ages. He who knew no sin became sin for us, in order to institute a New Covenant, the gift of His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus is the firstborn from the dead and lives in us through His Spirit. We are endued with His resurrection power.

Like a good infomercial offering a product, I can hear the writer of Hebrews saying, “But wait, there’s more!” There is another culmination coming:

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. (Hebrews 9:27-28, emphasis mine)

May you be reminded today of the victory you have through His finished work. He truly paid it all and we are forever free. He has promised to return, to appear a second time—another grand finale. If you’re impressed with fireworks here on earth, wait until you see Jesus appear in the clouds!

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Scripture is quoted from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION^®, NIV^® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.^® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.