REFLECTION: Christ Once for all Sacrifice - Anglican Diocese of Enugu

REFLECTION: Christ Once for all Sacrifice

Sacrifice since the fall of Man in the Garden of Eden has been a way to appease for sin before God and Man. When God noticed that man have sinned, He killed a Lamb (which is the Typology of Christ), use the blood to appease for the sin of man Hebrews 9:22. Once for all Jesus offered His own incarnate blood for the sins of whosoever believes in Him as opposed to the Blood of animals (Isaiah 53:12, Ephesians 1: 7). Jesus came to his father in heaven with his own blood and not the blood of animals. In contrary, to the yearly sacrifice under the Old law. His sacrifice for the sins of men was made once and for all time.

Eternal Redemption – the effects of the action of redemption by his blood is “eternal” (aionios). It is “aionios” eternal redemption in the sense that the redemption (the effect) carries on without end because of one time offering of Jesus on the cross. His atoning sacrifice was so effective, complete and sufficient that Jesus did not have to continue to offer Himself. He offered himself once and that was enough for all time on this earth and an unending existence of heaven that is to come. Remember he said, “It is finished”, therefore no other sacrifice needed.

Jesus offered Himself for eternal salvation with a onetime offering on the cross. The cross was a onetime event an undoing consequences. The sufficiency of the sacrifice, therefore is manifested in the facts that Jesus does not have to continually offer Himself throughout eternity. Such is in contrast to the Old Testament High Priests who had to enter yearly the Holy of Holies with sacrificial blood of animal for the sins of the people Hebrews 9: 7.

In Hebrews 9: 26, Jesus made his sufficient sacrifice for all time at the end of the Jewish year. By this sacrifice He brought redemption to all those of all time who have walked by faith in the grace of God (Hebrews 9: 5, Romans 3: 25). In Hebrews 9: 28, Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. Jesus had to die only once in order to produce that which will bring salvation to all men. Dear reader, have you accepted this sacrifice in order to receive the salvation that is inherent in it (Hebrews 9: 12, Isaiah 53: 12, Romans 6: 10 and 1Peter 2: 23).

Conclusion: Jesus who sacrificed His life for you to be free from the bondage of sin and the Devil will come again not to make any sacrifice of offering himself but to demand how far you have gone with the freedom you received. He will also redeem all those who have taken advantage of His redemption that was provided through the cross (Thessalonians 4: 17 – 18). Jesus had to die only once for us in order that those who live will no longer live for themselves rather they should live for him who died for them. If He comes, will He find faith in you? See Hebrews 10:10, 12, 14, Romans 6:10; 1Peter 3: 18, 2Corinthians 5:15 – 16.

Remain blessed.

REFLECTION: Christ Once for all Sacrifice