Once

"He has appeared once at the end of the ages for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of himself," Hebrews 9:26.

Who appeared? Christ. How many times? Once. Why? To bring an end to sin's terrifying consequences. How? By the sacrifice of his own self. Where did he appear? On earth, born of a woman (of course!), but more to the point: Appeared in God's very presence, in the holiest place of all the skies. On whose behalf? Ours. How many times did he die? Once. Why? (Already said it, but to say it again ...) To bear the sins of many. Why only once? Because God ordained that people die only once. And after this? Well. After death comes Judgment. Ah! And, after death, too, Christ will appear a second time. Why? To save. To save from what? The terror of sin's judgment. To save whom? Those waiting for him eagerly.

We wait with a brother or sister today for the Lord Jesus Christ to appear that second time for our salvation. And, anticipating together, we praise our God for that hope: Thank you, Lord! Hosanna! Maranatha!