DaySpring Daily Word of Inspiration: Hebrews 4:15 – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
What makes Jesus’ sacrifice so much better than the old time sacrifices of animals for our sins? Historically, it is true that man had to make sacrifices unto God for his sins. Atonement had to be made. This was done initially by man sacrificing animals (ox, lamb, goat) unto God to right the wrong of their sins committed. Then, once a year, the high priest would go behind a veil and do same thing but for all of the people. Unfortunately, there was a problem with these sacrifices. Man looked to man to make his relationship right with God. Since man continually sins, there needed to be a better, more perfect sacrifice, who’s blood would be shed once and for all for all of man’s sin. There was no power; no connection in the sacrifice of an animal’s blood because it wasn’t sufficient, it needed to be continually done. When Jesus shed his blood on the cross for us, it was more than enough. It was the perfect sacrifice.
So why was it better? Unlike the animal, Jesus was God in the flesh. He came down to live with man, as a man and to have the human experience. In all of man’s sinfulness, he lived as an innocent, perfect man. We were guilty of every sin we committed (because we did them), yet he committed no sin but still died for our sinfulness. For the sins of men, he came to die; to be that perfect sacrificial lamb of God to right the wrong of our sins. Now instead of us needing to go to a high priest (a sinful man also) to make sacrifices for our sins to God, we can go directly to God because Jesus made that sacrifice for us.
Jesus is our high priest who is better than any high priest we could ever have. Instead of being a sinful man trying to make atonement for sins with an animal, Jesus was sin-free and made himself the lamb to offer up a more perfect sacrifice to God. It is truly beautiful!!! The high priest of old would try to cover man’s sins by offering up animal’s blood but Jesus came as our high priest and offered up his own blood.
Jesus had the same opportunity on earth to live completely as man. He was able to identify with the human experience and feel absolutely every emotion, hurt, disappointment, and the like, yet he didn’t sin.
No animal could ever identify with the human experience in such a realistic way. Jesus, himself, goes before God on our behalf to receive our forgiveness from sin, just as the high priest of old would God beyond the veil to request the same. The difference is Jesus is face to face with God, showcasing his own perfect bloodshed for the sins of all. Which high priest do you think God is more prone to listen to?
Today as believers in the sacrifice of Jesus, it is our privilege to have the perfect high priest go before God on our behalf. He has provided a covering (his blood) to bring us back into presence of God! There is no other sacrifice that has been made on earth that will be more perfect or sufficient than the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. There is no amount of good you can do to cover up the lifetime of sin you have committed. We each needed someone to pay the price for our sin because we can’t stop sinning, no matter how much you try or think you’re not sinners. Jesus was a perfect sacrifice because he NEVER sinned but still took the punishment for sin. To those who believe, this is freedom.
Are you living in the freedom of forgiveness for your own selfish motives or in gratitude of Jesus through obedience?
Our high priest could relate to our situations that’s why he made the choice to get our relationships reinstated with God through himself. If the blood of Jesus has changed your life, you have a story to tell. Make sure you tell it to someone who doesn’t know that the high priest has made the great sacrifice for them and that they are covered so they can move forward in gratitude praising God for the restoration. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!!