Lois's Writing

THE NEED FOR SACRIFICE

I know you have read about animal sacrifice in the Old Testament and wondered what it was for?   Hebrews 10:1-4 describes God's purpose for the sacrifical system.  He gave His law as a foreshadowing of a future life of glory.  In essence, He was saying, "If you live the way I'm telling you to live, then you will have a rich, abundant life of blessing."  However, the law itself was not the way to this full life:  it was only a shadow.

In that system, people had to offer animal sacrifices to God regularly in atonement for their sins.  The Bible clearly attests that the only payment for sin is death.  (Romans 6:23)  However, in His grace God allowed people to offer animal sacrifices as a substitue--He accepted the blood of animals as a payment for the massive sin--debt.  However, it was only a temporary solution and therefore had to be repeated annually.

In order for mankind to be eternally freed from the guilt of sin, a completely pure sacrifice was required.  What's more, the aceptable once-for-all sacrifice could not be an animal;  a perfect and sinless man was needed, and yet, this was impossible.  What were we to do? 

Only man should have paid the price, but only God could have done so.  As a result, the one possible solution was Jesus Christ, wholly God and wholly man.  Unlike the blood of bulls, the blood of Christ was indeed sufficient.

It is by the blood of Christ alone that we are saved.  Have you thanked Him lately for the sacrifice that He made on your behalf?   

L . J.