1. GOD INITIATED THE OLD COVENANT WITH ITS SACRIFICES.
The blood sacrifice as the atonement and covering for sin was instituted by God from the beginning of time. Adam, Abel, Noah, Jacob and finally the nation of Israel all offered blood sacrifices for the atonement of sin. God required animal sacrifices, for their blood is pure, innocent and undefiled; it is free from the nature bent towards sin. Under the Old Covenant, the shedding of blood brought a covering and atonement for man’s sin.
Leviticus 17:11 ‘For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’
2. GOD SENT HIS OWN SON, JESUS, TO BE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR SIN!
The Bible makes it clear that no animal sacrifice could ever TAKE AWAY sin. They were only able to COVER sin until the only perfect sacrifice – the sacrifice of Jesus was made.
Listen to the Word of God:
Hebrews 10:4 “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats [Old Testament sacrifices] could TAKE AWAY sins.
Hebrews 10:11-14 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices [this was the constant task of the Old Testament priests], WHICH CAN NEVER TAKE AWAY SINS. But this Man [Jesus], after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. FOR BY ONE OFFERING HE HAS PERFECTED FOREVER THOSE WHO ARE BEING SANCTIFIED.”
Hebrews 9:26 ” … but now, once at the end of the ages, He [Jesus] has appeared TO PUT AWAY SIN by the sacrifice of Himself.”
Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice for our sins!
3. JESUS TOOK OUR SINS UPON HIMSELF AND PLACED HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ON US!
1 Peter 2:24 “Who HIMSELF BORE OUR SINS in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness–by whose stripes you were healed.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 “For He [Father] made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
4. HE MADE COMPLETE SALVATION AVAILABLE TO US – FREE, GRATIS AND FOR NOTHING!
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For BY GRACE you have been saved through faith, and that NOT OF YOURSELVES; it is THE GIFT OF GOD, NOT OF WORKS, lest anyone should boast.”
Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of HIS GRACE.”
5. THROUGH WHAT JESUS DID FOR US IT IS POSSIBLE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF GOD’S FAMILY!
John 1:11-12 “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name:”.
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