From the Home Place

August 17, 2025

Yesterday, Miss Deb and I were in Rapid City, South Dakota to meet family members. There were six of us gathered around a large table in a local cafe. Before we started placing our orders, I ask our server to make sure that I received the bill for the morning’s meal. Why? Because somebody has to pay.

The writer of the book of Hebrews states, “Without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Very much like the restaurant expects the bill to be paid, so does God. You see, when you and I sin, we establish a debt with our Heavenly Father and the only acceptable payment is the “shedding of blood.”

A sacrificial system that was established way back near the beginning of time requires a blood sacrifice before sin can be forgiven. That is why Jesus Christ had to shed His blood at Calvary. But as such, His blood was the perfect sacrifice to be the payment for all sin for all time. Jesus, “the perfect Lamb of God,” is the only one capable of such a sacrifice.

Yesterday, during our breakfast meal we didn’t require each person to pay a portion of the bill for their part of their debt, nor did we require anyone to work as payment for their debt, Miss Deb just quietly paid the bill and we all celebrated being together!

You and I are sinners, we have a debt, Jesus paid that debt by shedding His blood. None of us can pay our part, nor can any of us work off our debt. Yesterday, when Miss Deb went to the counter to pay our debt for breakfast, she had to pay with an acceptable currency. The blood of Jesus is the only acceptable currency for payment of sin. We read in Acts 4:12, referring to Jesus Christ, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

We sinners have a debt. No one can pay that debt other than Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Praise God, Jesus has paid the bill, all you have to do is believe and enjoy the feast!

Celebrating that the debt has been paid with you, Neal