Jesus Became Our Ultimate Sacrifice
Under the Old Covenant, only the high priest was permitted to enter the Holy of Holies. Even then, he could enter only once each year and only after offering a sacrifice for his own sins and for the sins of the people.
“So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.” Hebrews 9:11-12
It was a solemn responsibility that reminded Israel of both God’s holiness and mankind’s need for forgiveness.
Those sacrifices came at a cost. The blood of innocent animals was shed repeatedly year after year. Yet those sacrifices could never completely remove sin. They served as a reminder that sin separates people from God and that a greater sacrifice was still needed.
I sometimes wonder what the priests thought as they carried out their duties. Did some of them view it as merely another responsibility? Day after day they handled sacrifices, offered prayers, and followed the prescribed rituals. It would have been easy for the routine to become familiar.
Or perhaps they saw something deeper.
Perhaps each sacrifice reminded them of the seriousness of sin. The sight of the blood, the smell of the sacrifices, and the weight of their responsibilities may have served as constant reminders that sin was not a small matter. Every sacrifice pointed to humanity’s need for reconciliation with a holy God.
The Old Testament Sacrifice Pointed to Something Greater
The writer of Hebrews explains that all of these sacrifices were pointing toward something greater. They were preparing the way for Jesus Christ.
Unlike the earthly priests, Jesus did not enter a man-made sanctuary. After His death and resurrection, He entered the true heavenly sanctuary on our behalf. And unlike the priests who offered the blood of animals year after year, Jesus presented His own blood as the perfect sacrifice for sin.
What generations of sacrifices could never accomplish, Jesus accomplished once and for all.
His sacrifice does not need to be repeated. His work does not need to be supplemented because His atonement is complete. Through His death and resurrection, He secured eternal redemption for all who place their faith in Him.
When Jesus rose from the dead, the work of redemption was finished. When He ascended into heaven, He entered the presence of the Father as our great High Priest. The sacrifice had been made, the price had been paid, and the way into God’s presence had been opened.
It is difficult for us to fully grasp everything that was accomplished through Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension. We often focus on the cross—and rightly so—but Hebrews reminds us that Jesus continues His ministry on our behalf as our High Priest before the Father.
Life Application:
- Thank God that your forgiveness is based on Christ’s finished work, not your own efforts.
- Remember that Jesus is not only your Savior but also your High Priest who represents you before the Father.
- Live with confidence knowing that the price for your redemption has already been paid in full.
The sacrifices of the Old Testament pointed forward to a coming Savior. Jesus fulfilled what they could only symbolize. Because of His sacrifice, our redemption is secure, our sins are forgiven, and our access to God is forever open.
Related posts on when we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus
- If We Confess Our Sins
- Why Is The New Covenant Better
- Cleansed By The Blood Of Jesus
- Create In Me A Clean Heart And Renew My Spirit
Checkout out these other related posts about what Jesus has done for us.
- Jesus Prayed For Us! Did You Know That?
- Jesus Really Does Want To Be Your Friend
- Once And For All Jesus Made Us Holy
- In The Presence Of Jesus
- When The Son Of Man Comes
- When God Feels Distant In Your Time Of Need
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