FEB 3

Hebrews 10:11-12
Memorise Hebrews 10:12
“For in that he died, he died unto sin once…”

When you went to church last Sunday, did you go with a lamb or bullock in tow? Or perhaps you brought a bird cage containing a pair of pigeons, or turtledoves? ‘How absurd!’ you may think.

For God’s chosen people living in the Old Testament times, this was not a strange practice at all. God instituted the Levitical system of sacrifice as the means by which the Israelites could be cleansed of their sins. A chief requirement for the animals which they presented as their sacrifice was that they had to be “without blemish” (Leviticus 22:17-25). Imagine this – every single time you commit a sin, you would have to buy or otherwise obtain a specified animal that is physically perfect and flawless. You would then have to bring it to the priest who would sacrifice it on the altar, according to a set of rules and guidelines. Perhaps you would really think twice before sinning!

Today, however, we no longer have to carry out such a tedious process, for the “one sacrifice” offered by Christ has been offered “for sins for ever”! This sacrifice is none other than Christ Himself, “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). In order to satisfy God’s requirement, Jesus had to be the spotless and unblemished Lamb of God. This, He fulfilled, by living a perfect and sinless life as a Man on this earth in complete obedience to God’s holy law (called His ‘active obedience’), as well as by taking on Himself the sufferings necessary to pay the penalty for our sins, even submitting to death on the cross (called His ‘passive obedience’). Christ’s sacrifice was so perfect and complete that it was sufficient for all the sins of the world. Unlike the priests in the Old Testament who needed to offer up sacrifices daily, Christ only needed to do this “once, when he offered up himself” (Hebrews 7:27). The word “once” in this verse carries the idea of “once, for all” – one and only one sacrifice is necessary.

How wonderful it is, dear teen, that Christ’s single act of sacrifice is sufficient to bring salvation to you and to me! Do you treasure this wonderful gift? Will you not live for Christ today, and tell a friend of the wonderful Saviour that you have?

Thought: Christ’s sacrifice is once and for all!
Prayer: Lord, lead me to some soul today.