Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.

Hebrews 7:27

 

Priests used to repeatedly offer animal sacrifices. But this was only a temporary reminder of sin. It could deal with ceremonial issues but could never cleanse a man from the inside. True forgiveness only became available through Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice.

No longer were multiple offerings required. Although we sin over and over, Jesus did not have to die over and over to take our sins away. He only needed to die once—”once for all.” We will always be human—always sinners. Although Christ’s work is finished, we must never stop turning back to him in repentance. He will forgive.

For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14) In biblical terms, “perfected” is not a reference to sinlessness. It refers to maturity and completion. Even Jesus, though sinless, was said to be “perfected” through his suffering. (Hebrews 2:10)

His was a sacrifice that came from a human heart and soul. Human, though God. Humble to the greatest degree possible. He gave his life out of love and concern for the world—for you and for me. Jesus is an example for us to follow. He showed us how to give ourselves for others, each in our own way.

When we do something we know is wrong, we must show we’re sorry by turning to God. A relationship with Jesus is impossible if we don’t do this. Maybe these illustrations will make my point easier to understand:

If a friend hurts you but does not say she’s sorry or respond to your offer of forgiveness, it probably indicates that she doesn’t want to pursue a relationship with you. And how that would hurt!

In a similar way:

If a person who has done wrong refuses to turn to Jesus in remorse, she’s probably not interested in pursuing a relationship with him. And how that must hurt Jesus!

When I wrote last week’s piece, His Costly Gift, the point I was making was, that although the grace Christ gave us is free to all who believe, it was costly to him.

I feel that sometimes we focus so much on how we personally benefit from what Jesus did for us that we forget to look at what it meant to him. Do we appreciate him as much as we should? Do we fully understand what a great friend he is–the person who, out of love for us, suffered enormously?

Do we feel his pain? Do we remember to thank him?

marja