The Ultimate Sacrifice
Hebrews 9:24-28
24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was
only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in
God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again,
the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that
is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since
the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination
of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as people
are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was
sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second
time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
One man (Adam) brings sin and damnation to mankind ...
One man (Christ) brings forgiveness and salvation to mankind.
Sacrificial System (Old Testament)
The penalty for sin is (physical and spiritual) death ... Since
it is blood that gives life to every living creature and the penalty for sin is
death, then the death caused by the shedding of blood is payment for the sin
committed. (Leviticus 17:11)
Animals were sacrificed in the Inner Sanctuary of the Temple
in the presence of God (the Arc of the Covenant)... Christ was offered in Heaven's Throne Room directly with
God Himself.
The Blood of Christ, (the Lamb of God), is the Blood of the
New Covenant which fulfills the Law of Moses (i.e. it is 'full payment' for
every commandment that was ever broken or will be broken). We are forgiven and
made right with God. As children of God, we receive His loving grace and
blessings.
A lamb was sacrificed daily, it was a temporary solution for
the ongoing problem of sin ... It had to be repeated over and over again.
Jesus' death was the ultimate sacrifice, the permanent solution for our
infinite salvation. Only once was sufficient. Once for all time and for all the
sins of mankind (past, present and future)
Because of Christ, we no longer have to worry about paying
for our sins or performing good works to be right with God. We have been freed
from these concerns and we can now focus on loving God, enjoying His presence,
doing His will and sharing His perfect love with each other.
The Ultimate Sacrifice