Once For All

He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.  

Hebrews 9:26 

Christ has made the once-for-all sacrifice for sins. The writer of Hebrews is contrasting the old covenant with the new. He is showing the difference between the function of the ancient High Priest and Christ the High Priest of the new covenant. He points out that the old High Priest entered into the Most Holy Place once a year, on the Day of Atonement with blood, to make atonement for the people. To that perpetual practice he contrasts Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. To lead to his conclusion, he says, ‘For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another.’ The words of our text are the glorious climax of his argument. They tell us several things. First, Christ’s sacrifice has been offered at the end of the ages. Although it does not seem so to us, we are close to the end of the age. Second, the sacrifice of Christ was a once-for-all sacrifice. Therefore, there is no more need for any other atoning sacrifice. Jesus paid it all. Third, this sacrifice was so completely effective that it put away sin; our sin; all our sin, forever. Thus God has, by Christ, dealt with our sin altogether. This gives us cause for abundant thanksgiving. Christ has put away our sin.  

Our Great God and our Savior, 
we rejoice that You have paid for our sin. 
We praise You that this sacrifice was once-for-all. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning