Hope Singapore: Greatness Of JesusSample

The Greatness of God: The Greatness of Jesus’ Sacrifice

The idea of sacrifice was not foreign to the people of God.

In the Old Testament, God instructed His people to offer animal sacrifices as a means of atonement for their sins, the sanctuary or the land when it is defiled. God is a Holy God; However, His delight is not in the sacrifices but the fellowship of His people. Sin has broken the fellowship between God and Man, but God is faithful. The sacrificial system provided a means to mend the broken fellowship and for Man to connect with God again.

But this sacrificial system was merely a foreshadow of God’s grander purpose. In fact, God has a better and greater plan in mind. One day, there will be no need to offer such sacrifices like in the Old Testament times. To pay the penalty for sin in full, God Himself will provide the sacrifice, a perfect sacrifice, which will be able to atone for the sins of the world.

John the Baptist called Jesus, “The Lamb of God”, the One who is fully God, the One who is sinless to be sacrificed to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Jesus came as an atoning sacrifice not just for our sins but also the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2).

On His body, Jesus bore the sins of the world so that we can be credited righteousness on His account (Phil 3:9). He broke the power of sin and those whose faith is in Him are freed from the yoke of slavery to sin (Rom 6:6-8). Through His blood, we become justified before the Holy God (Rom 3:24-26). By the sacrifice of Christ, salvation is procured for all who believe. (Rom 10:9)

This is the way our sins are forgiven (1 Corinthians 5:7). Jesus paid the price for our sin by His death. We can receive forgiveness by confessing our sin to Him and asking for His forgiveness. 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

As believers of Christ we can stand assured in the salvation work of Christ through His sacrifice. In Him, we are overcomers of our sins.

"They triumphed over Him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." (Revelation 12:11)

REFLECTION
• How do you think you can rely on the finished work of Christ to be an overcomer in the struggles of sin?
• Take some time to ask God to reveal the sins in your life and allow the blood of Christ to cleanse you as you repent and seek for His forgiveness.