How many times have I done weekly laundry in my 60 years of married life? I've lost count. And yet the need still arises for me to continue. It is not hard with the modern convenience of washers and dryers, but the repetitive nature of this activity still is with me. I sort, wash, dry, and fold. I feel satisfaction when all the items are folded and put away in the linen closet, and once again, I am finished. That satisfaction lasts only until the next load of dirty clothes needs to be washed again. Perhaps we all have similar things that will always be ours to do as long as we can. Some seem to be endless tasks.

When I think of endless tasks, I am reminded of Moses' brother Aaron, who made endless, repetitive burnt sacrifices, day after day, year after year.

Leviticus 6:9b-12a – The burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it. And the priest shall put on his linen garment and put his linen undergarment on his body, and he shall take up the ashes to which the fire has reduced the burnt offering on the altar and put them beside the altar. Then he shall take off his garments and put on other garments and carry the ashes outside the camp to a clean place. The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not go out. (ESV)

Note that leaving his linen clothes after the sacrifice was part of the requirement.

Later, Scripture contrasts the priestly repetition with Christ's finished task.

Hebrews 10:11-12,14 – And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take aways sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (ESV)

After Jesus was raised from the dead, Peter and John ran to confirm what the women had reported about the empty tomb.

John 20:6-7 – Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. (ESV)

Friends, did you catch the little surprise in this record? The tomb was empty of the body, but there was something left behind: The linen cloths were there, the sign of a finished sacrifice. It is finished, once and for all!

Let us always be grateful that we no longer have to make repetitious sacrifices or obey detailed legalistic requirements. Jesus paid it all!

Prayer: Father in heaven, we thank You for Your Son Jesus, the finisher of our faith. Help us always to serve You out of our love for You and not because of duty or fear. Amen.