Yesterday, I spoke with a very dear friend who’s going through a period of many difficult health issues. Even though her body is weak, her spirit is strong. My conversation with her confirmed to me that though life can be so messy and so complicated, Jesus never fails.
Yes, Jesus never fails us. Our amazing Savior was sent to us by the Loving Father as the one true Sacrifice for all mankind. And it’s only through Jesus that we are offered payment for our sins, eternal salvation, forgiveness, the ability to approach God confidently, and the strengthening, guiding power of His precious Holy Spirit.
We all do things that God doesn’t like. None of us are sinless. And we all know that sin separates us from God.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Rom 3:23
“but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” Isa 59:2
The One True Sacrifice
In the Old Testament, the way to forgiveness and right standing with the Almighty was in bringing sacrifices to Him. Sinful mankind could not approach a Holy God for forgiveness without the shedding of blood. In God’s eyes, the shed blood covered sins.
“Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Heb 9:22 , “almost”– see Lev 5:11-13 for exceptions.)
So, an individual must atone for every sin. Future sin would require future sacrifice because there was no sacrifice so perfect that it could cleanse anyone completely, purely, forever.
“For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshippers, having once been cleansed would no longer have any consciousness of sins? …For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (Heb 10:1-2, 4)
So, yes, the blood of bulls and goats could purify or cover sin, but it could never take the stain completely and permanently away! The Old Testament law was just a shadow or preview of something even better that was coming, someone better—who could wash away sin and give us holiness. And His name is Jesus!
God sent us Jesus to be the ultimate sacrifice offered for all mankind… for you and for me! Jesus shed His blood to wash away all our sins. No additional sacrifices would ever need to be offered.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2
“And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. …But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” (Heb 10:10, 12)
What Does This Mean?
Oh, there is such rich meaning in the fact that Jesus is the only true sacrifice!
Each moment of our daily lives, we can have hope and courage because we have a loving Savior who gave himself to rob our sin. We no longer need to live under guilt and condemnation (from others or ourselves)! We’re set free from the punishment of sin! And we’re able to approach the throne of grace confidently (Heb 4:16) any and every time we draw near to God.
We don’t need to try to find mysterious ways to God, purify ourselves, nor struggle to pay for things we’ve done wrong! And as we accept Jesus as our Savior, He sends us His Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide us.
Just like my friend brought to mind, Jesus absolutely never fails. No matter if I give into sin tomorrow, or old sin roars at me from my past, I can claim forgiveness in the humbling sacrifice and powerful blood of Jesus. I can walk through life in light of His love and strength. It is only by God’s grace that He has given us Jesus—the one true sacrifice.
How does knowing that Jesus is the one true sacrifice touch your heart today?
Amen and amen! Thank you Ali for reminding us of this beautiful truth!
Yes, Amen! I’m glad I was able to give a “beautiful reminder”, Kathy. :) We are truly blessed with the beauty of Jesus and His precious sacrifice, aren’t we? It’s overwhelming how much we are loved!