Sacrifice
Jesus' sacrifice for our sins
Overview
The theme of sacrifice runs from Genesis to Revelation, tracing a scarlet thread through the entire Bible. From the animal skins God provided for Adam and Eve, through the Levitical sacrificial system, to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, God has always provided a way for sinful humanity to be reconciled to Him through the shedding of blood. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and His once-for-all sacrifice accomplished what the blood of bulls and goats could never do.
Key Verse
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him.”
Isaiah 53:5
Sacrifice in the Old Testament
The Old Testament sacrificial system, established in the Law of Moses, taught Israel that sin is serious and requires atonement. Leviticus details the various offerings: burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. Each pointed to the need for a substitute to bear the penalty of sin. "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls" (Leviticus 17:11). Yet these sacrifices were temporary and had to be repeated, pointing forward to a greater sacrifice to come.
Jesus, the Lamb of God
When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he declared, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Jesus is the fulfillment of every Old Testament sacrifice. He is the Passover Lamb whose blood delivers us from judgment (1 Corinthians 5:7). He is the scapegoat who carries our sins away (Leviticus 16). He is the suffering servant of Isaiah 53 who was "wounded for our transgressions" and "bruised for our iniquities." His sacrifice was voluntary, substitutionary, and sufficient for all sin for all time.
The Sufficiency of Christ's Sacrifice
The book of Hebrews emphasizes that Christ's sacrifice is once for all, never to be repeated. "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:12). Unlike the Old Testament priests who stood daily offering the same sacrifices that could never take away sins, Jesus sat down, signifying that His work was finished. "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified" (Hebrews 10:14). Nothing can be added to what Christ accomplished at the cross.
Our Response: Living Sacrifices
In light of Christ's sacrifice, Paul calls believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1). Our sacrifice is not for atonement (that has been accomplished by Christ) but for gratitude and worship. We sacrifice our time, resources, comfort, and selfish desires in service to God and others. This is the "reasonable service" of those who have been purchased by the precious blood of Christ.