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- Apr 25, 2006
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One For All
'But Christ gave himself ... one sacrifice for all time' Hebrews 10:12
The lamb had wriggled and wailed as the priest wrestled it to the altar. With one firm hand on its writhing body and one strong arm poised in the air, the blade was brought crashing down into the innocent animal. Its blood was poured out for the sins of many. Soon smoke would rise to the heavens and, as a sign that sins were forgiven, the priest would stand on the remaining ashes sprinkled to the ground.
The picture for burning up sin in the Old Testament was a gruesome one. And yet every year the same picture was re- enacted because sin had to paid for again and again.
The New Testament would draw an even bloodier picture. Replace the innocent lamb with an innocent man. With one firm hand on His forearm and one strong arm poised in the air, a hammer was brought crashing into His palms. His blood was poured out for the sins of many. A cross was pointed to the heavens and, as a sign that sins were forgiven, a man was butchered to death in between two criminals.
Every year around springtime that picture is remembered as the one-off payment for sins forever - Easter. If you've been struggling with what you've done or what you keep doing, don't beat yourself up - your one-off payment has already been made. 'Your sins are forgiven in Jesus' name' (1 John 2:12 TM).
written by Bob Gass
'But Christ gave himself ... one sacrifice for all time' Hebrews 10:12
The lamb had wriggled and wailed as the priest wrestled it to the altar. With one firm hand on its writhing body and one strong arm poised in the air, the blade was brought crashing down into the innocent animal. Its blood was poured out for the sins of many. Soon smoke would rise to the heavens and, as a sign that sins were forgiven, the priest would stand on the remaining ashes sprinkled to the ground.
The picture for burning up sin in the Old Testament was a gruesome one. And yet every year the same picture was re- enacted because sin had to paid for again and again.
The New Testament would draw an even bloodier picture. Replace the innocent lamb with an innocent man. With one firm hand on His forearm and one strong arm poised in the air, a hammer was brought crashing into His palms. His blood was poured out for the sins of many. A cross was pointed to the heavens and, as a sign that sins were forgiven, a man was butchered to death in between two criminals.
Every year around springtime that picture is remembered as the one-off payment for sins forever - Easter. If you've been struggling with what you've done or what you keep doing, don't beat yourself up - your one-off payment has already been made. 'Your sins are forgiven in Jesus' name' (1 John 2:12 TM).
written by Bob Gass
