The Final Sacrifice
The Finality of Christ's Sacrifice: Understanding Hebrews 9:16-28
In Hebrews 9:16-28, we find one of the most profound explanations of Christ's sacrifice and its eternal significance. This passage reveals why Jesus' death was not just another religious ritual but the definitive act that forever changed humanity's relationship with God.
Why Is Blood Necessary for Forgiveness?
The author of Hebrews makes a powerful declaration in verse 22: "Without shedding of blood is no remission." This statement underscores a fundamental spiritual principle - sin requires payment, and that payment is blood.
In the Old Testament, this principle was demonstrated through animal sacrifices. The Israelites would bring their sacrifices to the priest, who would examine them to ensure they were worthy offerings. After the animal was sacrificed, the high priest would take its blood with hyssop into the Holy of Holies and sprinkle it on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant.
Inside this Ark were three significant items:
How Was Christ's Sacrifice Different from Old Testament Sacrifices?
Unlike the repetitive sacrifices of the old covenant, Christ's sacrifice was singular and decisive. Verses 24-26 emphasize that Jesus didn't enter a man-made sanctuary but heaven itself, appearing before God on our behalf.
The Old Testament sacrifices were merely shadows pointing to the reality of Christ's perfect sacrifice. While the high priests entered the earthly Holy of Holies with animal blood, Jesus entered the true Holy of Holies in heaven with His own blood.
When Jesus said, "It is finished" on the cross, He meant exactly that - the work of atonement was complete. Nothing more needed to be done. His sacrifice was final, perfect, and sufficient.
What Does "It Is Finished" Really Mean?
Those three words Jesus spoke from the cross - "It is finished" - settled everything in heaven, in hell, and on earth. His sacrifice was complete and perfect, requiring no repetition or addition.
This finality stands in stark contrast to the Old Testament system where sacrifices were continual, highlighting the severity of sin. We've become callous to the thought that our sin, which we often take flippantly, had a tremendous price - Christ's sacrifice.
When Jesus shed His blood and died for us, our sin was placed on Him. At that moment, God turned His back on His Son so He would never have to turn His back on us. This is why God can promise to never leave us or forsake us - because Jesus experienced that abandonment in our place.
Can a True Believer Lose Their Salvation?
The biblical view of eternal security is rooted in the finality of Christ's sacrifice. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus, we are eternally secure. Our actions and feelings have no bearing on what the Word of God declares.
Jesus said, "You are in my hand and I am in my Father's hand, and no man can pluck you out." We didn't do anything to earn salvation, and we can't do anything to keep it. It is entirely God's work.
The idea that we can lose our salvation leads either to false piety and self-righteousness or to absolute despair and hopelessness. Christ wants us to experience neither. When He said, "It is finished," salvation was complete. All it takes on our part is belief - genuine trust that what He did is enough.
How Can I Know If I'm Truly Saved?
True salvation isn't about saying the right words in a prayer or performing certain religious rituals. It's about trusting completely in what Jesus did. If you're relying on something you did rather than simply trusting that Jesus is enough, you may need to reconsider your understanding of salvation.
If the Holy Spirit is working in your heart, convicting you of sin and drawing you back to God when you stray, that's evidence of salvation. The Holy Spirit's presence in your life - grieving when you sin, prompting you to repent, drawing you back to fellowship with God - is a sign that you belong to Him.
For those who have never experienced this and feel they need something, the answer is simple: trust in Jesus. Don't wrestle with doubt. Look to Jesus and live.
What Should Be Our Focus While Waiting for Christ's Return?
The next time Jesus comes, it won't be to deal with sin - He's coming to take His bride, the church. As believers, we should be looking for His coming daily.
Our focus shouldn't be on world events, politics, or even death. Our focus must be Christ. For the believer, death to self is the path to experiencing Christ more fully. As Paul said, "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain."
Each day, we should:
Life Application
This week, consider how you view Christ's sacrifice. Do you truly understand its finality and sufficiency? Or are you still trying to add your own works to what Jesus has already completed?
Ask yourself:
The challenge is simple yet profound: Live each day in the light of Christ's finished work, looking for His return, dying to self, and allowing His life to shine through you. When we focus on Jesus rather than our circumstances, we experience the joy and peace that come from resting in His complete and final sacrifice.
In Hebrews 9:16-28, we find one of the most profound explanations of Christ's sacrifice and its eternal significance. This passage reveals why Jesus' death was not just another religious ritual but the definitive act that forever changed humanity's relationship with God.
Why Is Blood Necessary for Forgiveness?
The author of Hebrews makes a powerful declaration in verse 22: "Without shedding of blood is no remission." This statement underscores a fundamental spiritual principle - sin requires payment, and that payment is blood.
In the Old Testament, this principle was demonstrated through animal sacrifices. The Israelites would bring their sacrifices to the priest, who would examine them to ensure they were worthy offerings. After the animal was sacrificed, the high priest would take its blood with hyssop into the Holy of Holies and sprinkle it on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant.
Inside this Ark were three significant items:
- The tablets of the Ten Commandments
- Aaron's rod that budded
- A bowl of manna
How Was Christ's Sacrifice Different from Old Testament Sacrifices?
Unlike the repetitive sacrifices of the old covenant, Christ's sacrifice was singular and decisive. Verses 24-26 emphasize that Jesus didn't enter a man-made sanctuary but heaven itself, appearing before God on our behalf.
The Old Testament sacrifices were merely shadows pointing to the reality of Christ's perfect sacrifice. While the high priests entered the earthly Holy of Holies with animal blood, Jesus entered the true Holy of Holies in heaven with His own blood.
When Jesus said, "It is finished" on the cross, He meant exactly that - the work of atonement was complete. Nothing more needed to be done. His sacrifice was final, perfect, and sufficient.
What Does "It Is Finished" Really Mean?
Those three words Jesus spoke from the cross - "It is finished" - settled everything in heaven, in hell, and on earth. His sacrifice was complete and perfect, requiring no repetition or addition.
This finality stands in stark contrast to the Old Testament system where sacrifices were continual, highlighting the severity of sin. We've become callous to the thought that our sin, which we often take flippantly, had a tremendous price - Christ's sacrifice.
When Jesus shed His blood and died for us, our sin was placed on Him. At that moment, God turned His back on His Son so He would never have to turn His back on us. This is why God can promise to never leave us or forsake us - because Jesus experienced that abandonment in our place.
Can a True Believer Lose Their Salvation?
The biblical view of eternal security is rooted in the finality of Christ's sacrifice. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus, we are eternally secure. Our actions and feelings have no bearing on what the Word of God declares.
Jesus said, "You are in my hand and I am in my Father's hand, and no man can pluck you out." We didn't do anything to earn salvation, and we can't do anything to keep it. It is entirely God's work.
The idea that we can lose our salvation leads either to false piety and self-righteousness or to absolute despair and hopelessness. Christ wants us to experience neither. When He said, "It is finished," salvation was complete. All it takes on our part is belief - genuine trust that what He did is enough.
How Can I Know If I'm Truly Saved?
True salvation isn't about saying the right words in a prayer or performing certain religious rituals. It's about trusting completely in what Jesus did. If you're relying on something you did rather than simply trusting that Jesus is enough, you may need to reconsider your understanding of salvation.
If the Holy Spirit is working in your heart, convicting you of sin and drawing you back to God when you stray, that's evidence of salvation. The Holy Spirit's presence in your life - grieving when you sin, prompting you to repent, drawing you back to fellowship with God - is a sign that you belong to Him.
For those who have never experienced this and feel they need something, the answer is simple: trust in Jesus. Don't wrestle with doubt. Look to Jesus and live.
What Should Be Our Focus While Waiting for Christ's Return?
The next time Jesus comes, it won't be to deal with sin - He's coming to take His bride, the church. As believers, we should be looking for His coming daily.
Our focus shouldn't be on world events, politics, or even death. Our focus must be Christ. For the believer, death to self is the path to experiencing Christ more fully. As Paul said, "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain."
Each day, we should:
- Look for His coming
- Pray for Him to give us life as we put to death the deeds of the flesh
- Let the resurrected Christ be seen through us
- Praise Him for our salvation, strength, security, and comfort
- Strive to tell others about Him
- Rest in the knowledge that in Him, we are without sin
Life Application
This week, consider how you view Christ's sacrifice. Do you truly understand its finality and sufficiency? Or are you still trying to add your own works to what Jesus has already completed?
Ask yourself:
- Am I trusting completely in Christ's finished work, or am I still trying to earn God's favor?
- How does understanding the finality of Christ's sacrifice change how I approach my daily walk with God?
- Am I actively looking for Christ's return each day, or am I distracted by the cares of this world?
- In what ways can I die to self today so that Christ might be more visible in my life?
The challenge is simple yet profound: Live each day in the light of Christ's finished work, looking for His return, dying to self, and allowing His life to shine through you. When we focus on Jesus rather than our circumstances, we experience the joy and peace that come from resting in His complete and final sacrifice.
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