Sunday Reflection: Offered Once For Many

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Hebrews 9:27-28

There was a time when God required His people to make various sacrifices as symbols of worship, thanksgiving, rememberance, and sorrow for their sins. The most significant of these was when the high priest would enter into the most holy place once a year to offer the blood of unblemished, specified animals to make atonement for the sins of the people. This did not make the worshipers perfect in conscience, but were imposed to be done year after year until such a time as God deemed necessary to provide a sufficient blood sacrifice to eternally cleanse the conscience.

Christ became our high priest and eternal sacrifice by doing what the blood of bulls and goats could not. He was a better sacrifice; the sacrifice of a man without blemish. Because of His perfection, He was able to enter heaven – the most holy place made without hands – and stand before the presence of God on our behalf. He completely put away sin by the sacrificing of Himself so that His people could be found blameless in judgment. He did it once for many to make perfect the conscience of those who eagerly wait for His second appearing, apart from sin, for salvation.

Prayer:
No, the sacrifice of blood and goats could’ve never been sufficient to redeem man back to You, my God. There had to be something greater; something much more glorious to be able to come into Your presence on our behalf. Christ is glorious! Christ is the perfection that was needed for eternal redemption. And in Him, I see how precious the soul of man is to You. Thank you that You deemed necessary to provide an eternal sacrifice to make us perfect to be blameless in judgment. I look forward to the day when I will see Christ in His second appearing. As I eagerly wait, I partake of His body and blood in rememberance that He was offered once for the sins of many for salvation. Amen.

Truth in love,
Heather