ONCE FOR ALL!

Dearly Beloved, ONCE FOR ALL! “When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:11-12 NIV). Every year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest in the Mosaic Law had to sacrifice with the blood of goats and rams for the atonement of the sins of the Israelites. He was to first of all atone for his own sins by the blood of a ram before using the blood of goats to atone for the sins of the people. This had to be done every year. This is explained in Leviticus 16:3-10 and recaptured in Hebrews 9:1-8. The recipients of the epistle to the Hebrews understood these concepts of priesthood and sacrifice very well. However, Jesus Christ surpasses any high priest because He came to sacrifice His own blood on the cross of Calvary once for all. While the Levitical high priests had to use the blood of bulls to first of all atone for their sins, Jesus Christ is sinless, so He does not need to do that. While the Levitical high priests thereafter had to use ordinary blood of goats to atone for the sins of the people, Jesus Christ used His own precious blood to atone for the sin of humankind. While the Levitical high priests would sacrifice in man-made tabernacles, Jesus Christ presented Himself to God by “greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made”. While the Levitical high priests would have to repeat this sacrifice every year, Jesus Christ offered Himself once for all. His offering on the cross is the ultimate sacrifice, there is no other. No wonder, He said on the cross: "It is finished" (John 19:30 NIV). It is a pity that many people find it difficult to accept the once-for-all finished sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. They still prefer the Levitical order to what Jesus Christ has done. They prefer to offer their own sacrifices of good works. They still want an intermediary that will help them to take their sacrifices to God. Many even still make blood sacrifices to appease God! It is finished! It is once-for-all sacrifice by Jesus Christ. No other sacrifice is needed or accepted by God. And every one that accepts this once-for-all sacrifice by Jesus Christ will have eternal redemption and eternal inheritance. Have you accepted this sacrifice, or are you still trying to serve God in your own way? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will totally accept the once-for-all sacrifice by Jesus Christ for your life.