Hebrews 9:23-28
I remember that, many years ago, my wise father told me something that I have found to be true. He said: “Son, if you want something done RIGHT you had better do it yourself.” Now, you need to understand that it was about 60 years ago that he gave me this very wise and true piece of advice for life. I have, over the years reflected on what he said and, in this modern era, his words are even more true than ever it seems.
The fact is that no matter what one wants to accomplish, it is nearly impossible if they are relying on someone else to perform properly and get the job done. The simplest things seem to be too difficult to do or hard to understand for a lot of people in the workforce who are getting paid to do the very task that they are suppose to accomplish. The simplest thing that you can think of that you are paying someone to do will prove to be frustrating because they did not do it right or they were too incompetent to succeed at the task. Oh, Lordy, Lordy, it’s a test of character to get through such a situation. No wonder so many people are living on the edge of exploding or collapsing under the pressure as they turn into a blabbering ball of nervous energy.
I tell you what….just order a salad at a restaurant….”dressing on the side please and no onions.” What happens? Yep, you got it! Pick out the onions and scrape off as much dressing as you can. Doesn’t someone in the kitchen know when too much dressing is too much dressing? Here’s another….see what you have to go through to get a simple prescription filled. The doctor’s office seems incapable of getting it right even after multiple tries. Visits to the pharmacy end in frustration when one is told that the order isn’t ready after multiple trips and phone calls. And, these doctor’s office people give you shots and tend to your medical things. One would think that a prescription would be no problem. But..NO…very often it’s a major production to get it done right the first time!
I could go on and on, but you get the message. As daddy said: “If you want something done right, you had better do it yourself.” It will result in a lot less stress and aggravation. It may be more work for you, but at least it will be done the proper way. You don’t have to worry with it any further. YOU did it and you did it the proper way….the right way. People don’t seem to care if they perform properly or not. All they are looking for is a check and they will get away with whatever they can and still get paid. The day of trustworthy people who were skilled at their job and who had pride in a job well done is just about gone. I thank the Lord for those who still take pride in what they do and who do it right the first time. Many people don’t seem to care about doing their work properly and the reason is that the government pays too well. They can work a while, drop out, and get more that they were earning so why work? Or, why do a good and complete job; the government will pay me anyway.
So, let me stop complaining and reminding you of things which irritate you and tell you about someone who completed a task in the most honorable of ways. This person left nothing undone. Nothing else remaining to be done in any way. When this person finished, everything was perfect and those who are beneficiaries of his work find that dealing with Him ended their search forever. That person is Jesus Christ. A person will find that when Jesus finishes his work in them that they don’t have to worry about it at all any longer. His work is complete. It is perfect. It is redeeming work. Once it is done, it can’t be done again.
In Hebrews 9:23-38, the writer (I think it is Paul) tells us something very important for every Christian to remember. He says that Jesus appeared ONCE and that He died for our sins ONCE. It cannot be done again. If it could be, Jesus would have to come back and go through the death and resurrection process again so that a person could be saved again. It tells us that He did this ONCE. The word there means…”one time numerically and conclusively.” Won’t happen again. It was perfect and complete the first time and if one is saved that’s the end of it. He completed the whole job. If one wanted to, they could not get saved again. Jesus did what we can’t seem to find it today’s world….Someone to do a perfect job the first time!
God’s Plan which is perfect, combined with the obedience of Jesus in dying for sinners linked with His resurrection and ascension to the Father is the perfect and completed way to be saved and Jesus did the job right the first time. He did it SO right that it cannot be done a second time. So, when Jesus finished His task, He was sent to do, He sat down on the right hand of the father until He comes again for His Children.
We should all be thankful for the fact that when Jesus finished His task that He did it right. We should all thank Him for Getting Something (salvation) Done Right.
Wm F. Harrell…2-14-2025
