Hebrews 9: 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
A memorial means a remembrance of a special place or time. A cemetery without tombstones has bodies unknown to us. The average cemetery has markers that remind of names, date of birth and death as well as a witness if scripture is included. They are marked in our memory. Through the years, the military has given lives for us to have the country we have today. We owe a lot to them. As soon and young men and women sign up and enlist, they are agreeing to give their lives for this country and what we stand for. Many people today have no idea of the sacrifices made and they trample on our constitution. America will fall for many reasons and one is when we fail to be thankful and forget the ultimate sacrifice that God and his Son made for us.
Verse 26 says for then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Long before Jesus went to the cross and shed his blood God saw that it had to happen. Every generation ignores and doubts God. Yet he so loved the human race that he allowed a sacrifice to be made. It was so we would not perish in eternal destruction but have eternal life. We’ve been bought by a price we could never pay by ourselves.
Jesus was willing to sacrifice himself, that is to lay himself down in death. God suffered in the giving of his Son. He didn’t allow Jesus to be simply killed or murdered. He sacrificed himself for our sin. The Holy Word of God tells us we’re not here of our own doing. It is due to Jesus and his sacrifice of himself. God and his Son were willing to come to us in our failures. Jesus suffered. God suffered. Turning his eyes away, he never turned his heart away. Jesus knew that to get you and me out of hell and out of our sins he had to suffer. Let’s remember that. Be thankful for your Savior. Serve him.
Does he ask too much? No. Consider what God and Jesus were willing to do and followed through with. Jesus stayed on the cross to the death. Instead of our being in the blazes of hell today, we’re saved. There was not just a little bit of persecution and suffering. He suffered it all—EVERYTHING! There is no greater sacrifice than one’s self. My sacrifice for sins wouldn’t be worth a hill of beans. Jesus did the work of the Father. When we trust the work done on the cross, we are born again. How could anyone turn down such a sacrifice?
When we see the wickedness on every hand we know that God could have mashed us out of existence. Instead he sent his Son. Those who turn away from him will find themselves in hell. When we look to the person of the cross—Jesus Christ—we know he paid it all by the sacrifice of himself. We who have accepted him know the Captain of our Salvation will get us through. Freedom is just a few steps away. If you’ll confess your sins to Jesus, thank him for his sacrifice, and give yourself to him, you’ll be saved.
Jesus made the sacrifice of himself. What are you willing to sacrifice for him?
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 