SATURDAY January 17, 2026

A Time of Reformation

It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
Hebrews 9:9-10

Notice the key to understanding the Old Testament and the New Testament––many things are symbolic. In these verses, we see that the priest offered both gifts and sacrifices to God, but in no way did this make him or anyone else perfect. The service performed was only a shadow of things to come. This instituted system was only temporary.

Any earthly ordinances a priest observed were established until a time of reformation. What is a time of reformation? It might help you to think of Martin Luther and the Great Reformation or the Protestant Reformation.  Luther came to understand from Paul’s letter to the Romans that there was no need to purchase indulgencies; salvation was purely by faith. We cannot attribute anything to our salvation––it is a work of grace. He challenged the Catholic Church and nailed his 95 Theses on the door of the castle in Wittenberg, Germany, on October 31, 1517. Although the Catholic Church initially condemned him as a heretic, Luther’s teachings brought about an incredible reformation.

What did Christ do when He came? He brought about a reformation and was nailed to a Cross! His message was the Gospel––a Gospel of grace. There was no longer the need for Jewish ordinances of the Law. This was hard for the Jews to understand; and, as we know, they condemned Him as a heretic––a false Messiah––and handed Him over to the Romans to be crucified.

When Jesus came, He brought about a reformation, because no external cleansing or other ordinance could ever clear the human conscience. Only Jesus can do that. When we repent, He cleanses our guilty consciences and our sins through His blood. How has this helped you in understanding the power and significance of the shed blood of Christ?

God wants our conscience to be certain and sure that it is pleasing to Him. This cannot be done if the conscience is led by its own feelings, but only if it relies on the Word of God.
~Martin Luther~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!