- Genesis 2:17 - But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
- John 1:29 - The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
- Hebrews 7:27 - Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
- Hebrews 10:10-14 - By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
On the cross, Jesus voluntarily showed His great love for us by dying in our place. When asked what happened on that Friday, many people can list the events on Golgotha: Christ was crucified, Roman soldiers divided His clothes, and darkness covered the earth. In truth, something greater than what was visible was happening — sin was being judged on the cross. In the Garden of Eden, God warned that disobedience would have severe consequences (Genesis 2:17). The penalty for sin was known from the beginning and was later illustrated by the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. For every sin, the blood of an animal was poured onto the altar. The price of this punishment — the loss of a life — was intended to show how serious and grave sin is in the eyes of a holy God. It was a symbol of the 'Lamb of God' — the One who would take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). On the cross, Jesus Christ was the Lamb on the altar, but with an important difference. In the Old Testament, a new sacrifice was needed for every sin. But Jesus voluntarily offered Himself once and for all to atone for the sin of the whole world (Hebrews 7:27, Hebrews 10:10-14). If you haven't accepted this magnificent gift yet, accept it now. And let us all give thanks to our Savior for it.
Reflection
What has Christ's once-and-for-all sacrifice changed in your life, and how can you thank Him for His sacrifice today?