A ONCE-AND-FOR-ALL SACRIFICE

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: SO CHRIST WAS ONCE OFFERED TO BEAR THE SINS OF MANY… (Hebrews 9:27-28).

Our underlined portion in the verses above, as rendered in the King James version, seems to suggest that once upon a time, Christ was offered to take away the sins of many. But that’s not what it’s saying; the actual rendering is that Christ was offered once and for all for the sins of humanity. Some other translations render it correctly, for example, the ESV. It says, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many…”(Hebrews 9:27-28).

This means there isn’t any other sacrifice for sin; itwill never be necessary again. Jesus has already been sacrificed, and with that one sacrifice, it was all done. Hallelujah! It was a once-and-for-all-time sacrifice. The preceding verse 26 says, “…he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” He was the sacrifice. He sacrificed Himself, not something else, not someone else. Hebrews 10:12-14 says, “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God…For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” He has perfected you forever through that one sacrifice.

Before Jesus came, the Jews offered sacrifices year after year for the whole nation; so many lambs were slain. But Jesus came as the sinless Lamb of God—the perfectsacrifice—to perfect those who would come to Him. John the Baptist, upon seeing Him, cried out, “…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Today, no need for anyone to try to punish themselves or go through any form of penance for their sins. Christ has been sacrificed for us. Hebrews 10:4-10 tells us something remarkably insightful. It says, "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body has thou prepared me...Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God...By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all,"

Your own sacrifice will never be enough. Therefore, the best thing to do is to accept the sacrifice of Jesus on your behalf. With that one sacrifice, He perfected you forever. Blessed be God! (Read Acts 13:38-39)

Prayer:

Dear Father, I thank you for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the perfect and eternal sacrifice that has sanctified me forever. I rejoice knowing that through His once-and-for-all-time offering, I am perfected, justified, and made righteous. I live in the fullness of His righteousness and in the Victory He has won for me. Amen.

Further study:

Hebrews 10:12-14 AMPC, Hebrews 9:27-28; 1 John 4:10

1st Year bible reading plan:

Mark 5:1-20 & Leviticus 19-21

2nd Year bible reading plan:

Matthew 16:13-20 & Exodus 2

If you are not saved, please make Jesus your Lord and Saviour through the following prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come to You in humility and surrender, acknowledging that I am a sinner in need of Your forgiveness and salvation. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son, who died on the cross for my sins and rose again on the third day.

I repent of my sins and ask for Your forgiveness. I invite Jesus into my heart and life, and I receive Him as my Lord and Savior. I trust in His finished work on the cross and His resurrection power.

Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and help me to live a life that honors You. Give me the strength and courage to follow You, and to share Your love and salvation with others.

Thank You for saving me, and for giving me eternal life through Jesus Christ. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

If you have just prayed this prayer, congratulations! You have taken the first step towards a new life in Christ. Remember to:

- Find a Bible-believing church to attend

- Read the Bible regularly

- Pray daily

- Share your faith with others

May God bless you on your new journey!