One Sacrifice
As we contemplate Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, it is important to remember that His sacrifice was unique. He did not carry out His sacrifice in an earthly tabernacle or in an earthly temple made with hands. Nor did He offer animals as the sacrifice for sin. Rather, He offered His own blood and body to God in heaven. Through the sacrifice of Himself, Jesus obtained eternal redemption for us.
The sacrifice of Christ was totally different from the sacrifices of the high priests in Israel. They had to offer sacrifices over and over, year after year. Jesus Christ, our High Priest, offered one sacrifice, Himself, which secured an eternal redemption for all who believe in Him. His sacrifice is never again to be repeated.
“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him” (Heb. 9:27, 28).
When Christ came to earth the first time, He offered one sacrifice for sin for all time. He is coming to earth again, but it will not be to offer another sacrifice. Rather, it will be to usher in His eternal rule on earth. All who believe in Him will share in the glory of His reign in the kingdom He will establish.
The completeness of Christ’s sacrifice is an exciting truth, “For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified” (Heb. 10:14). Believers have been perfected for eternity because they have been set apart by Jesus Christ. He has provided perfection for eternity in the presence of God through His death on the cross of Calvary.
The resurrection is God’s testimony that by the death of His Son on the cross He has secured righteousness and redemption for all who believe.