Obviously, the sacrificing of animals could not go on forever. So, to settle the sin issue once and for all, God the Father sent God the Son (Jesus Christ) to be born on earth.
After living thirty-three sin-free years on this planet, Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross. Since Jesus never sinned, He was not required to die. So when He shed His blood, it was not for His own sins, but for the sins of all mankind. Jesus was the final sacrifice for sin forever: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many… Hebrews 9:28 This true story beautifully illustrates Christ's death for us: "During the Civil War a man by the name of George Wyatt was drawn by lot to go to the front. He had a wife and six children. A young man named Richard Pratt offered to go in his stead. He was accepted and joined the ranks, bearing the name and number of George Wyatt. Before long Pratt was killed in action. The authorities later sought again to draft George Wyatt into service. He protested, entering the plea that he had died in the person of Pratt. He insisted that the authorities consult their own records as to the fact of his having died in identification with Pratt, his substitute."1
As sinners, we deserve to die and suffer in hell. But because Jesus Christ, our substitute, died in our place, we can be freed from the penalty of our sins and receive God's gift of eternal life.
The Bible tells us Jesus tasted death for us: …that he (Jesus) by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Hebrews 2:9
What Old Testament lambs could never do, Jesus did through His death: Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Hebrews 9:12
The high priest offered animals as a temporary sacrifice for sins, but Jesus Christ (God in the flesh) offered Himself as a living sacrifice to purchase our redemption by paying the full price for every sin ever committed: But this man (Jesus), after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; Hebrews 10:12 The high priest's work was a picture of the work Christ would do on the cross: Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he (Jesus) did once, when he offered up himself. Hebrews 7:27
Remember how on the day of atonement the high priest covered the mercy seat with blood so God would see the blood instead of the law? This was another picture of what Christ would do for us. Today, when God looks down at those who have trusted His Son, Jesus Christ, He doesn't see their sins, He sees the blood of His Son.
It's not how good or bad you've been. The question is, "Have your sins been paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ?"
The Passover was another foreshadowing of the work Christ would do on the cross: For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 1 Corinthians 5:7
Only Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, could redeem us from our sins: Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5:9
Paul stressed this point in his letter to the Colossians: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins… Colossians 1:14
As the sacrificial Old Testament lamb was "without blemish," (Leviticus 9:2), so was Jesus: …ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold… But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1 Peter 1:18-19
The Apostle Paul describes Christ's death this way: Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us… Galatians 3:13
Never again would blood have to be shed for sins. Never again would good works have to be done to earn forgiveness. All the work was done. That's why, while hanging on the cross, Jesus cried out the words, "It is finished…" (John 19:30).
The plan of salvation was complete. What an incredible thought! God in the flesh had taken upon Himself all the sins of the world. Do you see why being "good" can't save you? As sinners, we all need a Savior, and Jesus is the only Savior: Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. Isaiah 45:22
Jesus came to earth for one reason… to die for us: For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10
Yes. Jesus is the only hope, and the only way to heaven: For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:22
When you truly understand this, you will readily accept God's love gift. Imagine yourself on a sinking ship in freezing, shark-infested ocean waters. As the hours pass, hope fades. Then, in the distance, you spot an approaching boat. The vessel eventually arrives and a sailor throws you a line. Would he have to beg you to grab the line? Of course not, for without it you would surely die.
My friend, without Jesus as your Savior, you are lost and drifting in a sea of sin. No one can help you but Him. He alone can throw you a life-line of eternal life. Will you grasp it, and be pulled to safety, or will you push it away and drown in your sin?
A video showed two speeding race cars slam into each other. The first car crashed into a wall and burst into flames. Rescue crews rushed to the driver's aid, but could not douse the flames. The driver could not free himself from the wreckage because of the many safety belts and harnesses. Raging flames prevented rescue workers from getting close to the car. He was trapped, engulfed in flames, with no way out. Then one brave soul dove head first into the flames, quickly released the belts and freed the panicked driver.
This, too, pictures your condition. You are trapped in your sins and the fiery flames of hell await. Without Jesus, there is no escape. But thank God, Jesus is willing and able to rescue you… if you will let Him.
Lastly, picture yourself dying of a rare disease. You have exhausted every avenue, but still you are dying. Then you hear of a doctor with a revolutionary new cure. Every patient he has treated has been completely healed. Your choices… receive the doctor's treatment and live, or refuse his help and die. The choice is simple.
Without Christ, you are facing certain eternal damnation in the lake of fire. You may have tried several religions, but never been spiritually healed. That's because religion kills, and only Doctor Jesus can heal you spiritually. And He has never lost a patient.
Please understand, this book was not written to beg you to become a Christian. Its purpose is to show you your lost condition. Look at God's warning: And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15
Once you truly understand your state, you will beg Jesus to save you. You won't want to risk living another second without Him.
Table of Contents Footnotes
1L. E. Maxwell, Born Crucified, Moody Press, 1945, pg. 13.
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