JESUS, THE PERFECT SACRIFICE
1. Jesus fulfilled God's plan for Imputation.
2. Jesus fulfilled God's plan for World Salvation
3. Jesus fulfilled God's requirement for shed Blood
4. Jesus fulfilled God's requirement for a Perfect Sacrifice
5. Jesus fulfilled the Law.
There is no doubt that God has always had a plan to redeem fallen man. It is His divine love for us that made Him take on flesh and come to be the savior of mankind. Many Christians do not really understand the plan of salvation that God had prepared for us. Because of this, many Christians find it hard to explain to unbelievers the reason for Christ dying on a cross. I'm not talking about the normal response of “He died to save us from our sins.” Yes, most of us know that Jesus bled and died on the cross. We also know and believe that He was born of a virgin and that the veil of the temple immediately ripped after He gave up the Spirit. What is not so clear to many is what do these things have to do with us? How does Jesus dying on the cross translate to the salvation of the world when all other deaths did not? How does it cleanse us and put us in right standing with Father God? Why were these things necessary for salvation and why was Jesus the only one qualified to save us? Let's see what scripture has to say about these matters so that it will be clear why Jesus was indeed the perfect sacrifice.
JESUS Fulfilled God's standard for Imputation
Imputation was part of God's plan of redemption from the very beginning. Imputation is defined as the charging of sin from one account to another. It is in effect, someone who is debt free taking on the debts of someone else. It is the transference of a penalty. The whole crux of animal sacrifice was that innocent animals would die for the sins of guilty humans. Thus, every time an animal was brought to the priest to be sacrificed, the innocent was charged the sins of the guilty. Animal sacrifice is clearly interwoven into the fabric of Old Testament law.
Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings - Leviticus 23:19
He also killed the bull and the ram, the sacrifice of peace offerings, which was for the people: and Aaron's sons delivered to him the blood, which he sprinkled around on the altar, -Leviticus 9:18
And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering. Leviticus 5:7
Probably the best example of this would be the sacrifices given on the Day of Atonement. This was the day that the High Priest would pass through the veil of the tabernacle and enter the “Most Holy Place” or the “Holy of Holies.” The Most Holy Place was located at the rear of the tabernacle and contained the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark, a rectangular gold plated box, symbolized the presence of God. The Day of Atonement was celebrated once a year and it was the day that the people were cleansed of their sins and given a clean slate.
Arron, the high priest, was first to make atonement for his own sins before entering the tabernacle. Then he was to cast lots to decide which goat was to be sacrificed and which goat was to be the “scapegoat.”
And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 8And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. Leviticus 16:7,8
One goat was taken into the tabernacle to be sacrificed for the sins of the people,
Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat: -Leviticus 16:15
the other was to have the people's sins placed upon it and be released into the wilderness. This symbolized the carrying away of their sins.
And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat: 21And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: 22And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness. Leviticus 16:20-22
Many of are familiar with the term “scapegoat.” It refers to someone on which we place all the blame. It doesn't matter if its actually their fault or not. We see this in business, recreation and sports. If a bad business deal goes through, the president may blame the accountant, and the accountant may blame the secretary. Football fans often make the kicker the scapegoat if he misses the game winning kick. This is because this is the last thing we remember happening that could of cost us the victory. How quickly we forget that the quarterback threw two interceptions, the running back fumbled, the defense allowed two ninety yards drives and so on. The point is, the football team lost as a team, not as one man. As you can see, the term “scapegoat” actually comes from the Bible. It was the goat that took on all the sins of Israel and was released to carry them away.
So then, we have two goats, one died to make atonement for sin and another which carried the sin away. Jesus Christ, the perfect sacrifice, fulfilled the duties of both goats. He died to make atonement for the sins of the whole world and the was the innocent “scapegoat” in which all our sins were laid and carried away! Since Imputation was always part of God's plan, it was allowable for righteous Jesus to take on the sins of wicked humanity and to let Him die in our place.
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12
This is the imputation of sin. In the case of Romans 5:12, it is all of humanity being charged the sin of Adam and therefore making all of humanity sinners. A easier way of phrasing this is that every person born was charged and inherited the sin of their father. Adam, being the father of us all, is the source of all imputed sin. It is obvious why people reject this concept. It seems totally unfair of God to charge us with the sin of another. However, we must understand that God has a divine plan and everything He does is for good reason. I assure you that imputed sin is exactly what scripture teaches because it is integral to God's divine plan of redemption.
For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Romans 5:17-19
Now we see what God has planned. While I agree that it is unfair to charge the innocent the sin of the guilty, neither is it fair to charge the guilty the righteousness of the innocent. Yet that's exactly what it means to be a Christian. That's exactly what our savior Jesus Christ did for us. Christ was sinless yet He died for everyone and took on the sins of the whole world. In other words, since God included imputation into His plan of salvation, although all were made sinners by Adam, all could also be made righteous by Christ. If God has deemed it fair to pass the sin of one unto many, then it is fair to pass the righteousness of one unto many as well.
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:19
Many people overlook that the Bible says that Christ died for the whole world not just those who have confessed Him. The sins of the whole world which this eludes to are the world's imputed sins. Everyone's imputed sins were taken care of at the cross. However, man in his fallen state will continue to sin. Notice that the sacrifice of Jesus makes permanent atonement for the sins inherited from Adam but does not change the condition of man. When we confess Christ as our Lord and savior, we get salvation by the washing away of our personal sins.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9,10
We must remember the pattern that God outlined on the Day of Atonement. The sacrifice was a two part process. The first goat covered our sins and the second goat carried them away. Again, its worth repeating that Christ the perfect sacrifice serves the function of both goats. So then, Christ died to take away all the imputed sins of the world and all the personal sins of His children. We are all born covered by the blood of Christ even though we are born in sin, until we sin ourselves. If not for Christ, children would be born condemned. When God established imputation of sin, it allowed Christ to solve the problem of Adam's sin for all of humanity, however, we must choose His free gift of salvation in order to be cleansed of our personal sins.
Notice the consistency and mercy of God. When sin is given to us without choice, we are covered without choice. When we sin by personal choice, we are saved by personal choice. Both gifts are free and open to all, but one gift is given and the other must be chosen.
JESUS Fulfilled God's standard for shed blood
Again, God does not change His mode of operation and proves to be very consistent. Scripture upon scripture echo the sentiment that in order for there to be payment, restitution, and forgiveness of sin (when it comes to sacrifices) there must be the shedding of blood.
And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times. 15Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat: 16And he shall make anatonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. -Leviticus 16:14-16
And he slew it; and Moses took of the blood of it, and put it upon the tip of Aaron's right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot. 24And he brought Aaron's sons, and Moses put of the blood upon the tip of their right ear, and upon the thumbs of their right hands, and upon the great toes of their right feet: and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about. Leviticus 8:23,24
And he slew it; and Moses took the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation upon it. -Leviticus 8:15
In the previous verses, we see blood being an important part of ritual sacrifice. First, we see the blood being handled in different ways. We see the blood being dabbed, sprinkled, and poured. Next we see that the blood is used to accomplish similar yet different things. The blood is used to sanctify, bring reconciliation, and make atonement.
But why did Christ have to shed His own blood and die in our place. Why did the time of animal sacrifice come to an end.?
But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12Neither 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. 13For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Romans 9:11-14
Animals were a temporary sacrifice method to be used until the high priest offered the perfect sacrifice. Jesus Christ, was both the high priest and the sacrifice. If God was appeased by the blood of animals for a time, how much more would He be pleased with the perfect blood of His son. Because of the perfection of His sacrifice, it only had to be offered one time. Jesus then, was the sacrifice to end all sacrifices.
It is obvious that God places an high emphasis on the shedding of blood but why? The answer is that without it God will not pardon our sins.
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Hebrews 9:22
Remission means to dismiss, release or pardon. God will not dismiss our wrongs and evils unless there is a shedding of blood. If we do not accept Jesus Christ as our substitute sacrifice, God will not release us from the penalty of our sins. But now the question becomes, why does it take the shedding of blood? What makes blood so special?
For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Leviticus 17:11
Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh. Deuteronomy 12:23
The life is in the blood. When God made Adam, He breathed the breath of life into him. Blood carries oxygen throughout the body. A breathing man is physically alive and a non-breathing one is dead. The Bible says that life is in the blood not that life is the blood. In the sprinkling and pouring, the animals life has been poured out for us. It should be noted that God does not want us to eat the source of life unless it's spiritually by eating Christ, the source of eternal life.
Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:54
JESUS Fulfilled God's standard for perfect sacrifice
This is self explanatory. Man was not to offer God just any sacrifice. It had to be “spotless,” perfect. Man was to offer God his very best.
And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace offering unto the LORD be of the flock; male or female, he shall offer it without blemish. Leviticus 3:6
And in the day of the new moon it shall be a young bullock without blemish, and six lambs, and a ram: they shall be without blemish. Ezekiel
46:6
When thou hast made an end of cleansing it, thou shalt offer a young bullock without blemish, and a ram out of the flock without blemish. Ezekiel 43:23
This state of physical perfection was to mirror the coming Messiah's spiritual perfection. In order for Jesus to qualify as the perfect sacrifice, he had to be sinless. He had to have no spiritual defects.
Now that we have established the reality of the imputation of sin, we can see the importance of the virgin birth. Many don't see the virgin birth as an important Christian doctrine but it is totally necessary for Christ to be virgin born in order to be the perfect sacrifice.
Let's revisit the imputation of Adams sin.
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12
“One man” is the key. Although Adam and Eve both sinned in the Garden, only Adam's was imputed to mankind. It should also be noted that God didn't kick them out of the Garden until Adam bit the forbidden fruit, not Eve. The reason for this is that Adam was first created and it was Adam that was in charge. Thus, from Adam unto the coming of Christ, imputation was done through the line of our fathers. It was okay for Jesus to manifest Himself from a earthly mother as long as He did not come from a earthly father. God made this happen so that unlike everyone else, Jesus would not be born with imputed sin. Jesus was the only child born who was not already condemned. He was born sinless.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 1:18
“Before they came together” is a reference to sexual relations.
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23
Those who attack the validity of the virgin birth do so to disqualify Christ as the promised Messiah. They attempt to disqualify Him as Savior of the world. Christians should realize that if Christ was indeed born of a man, He would be. This is why all true Christians must believe in the virgin birth.
But this is not all, in order to be the perfect sacrifice, not only could Jesus have no imputed sin, He could have no personal sin. Luckily for us, scriptures make this abundantly clear.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. - Hebrews 4:15
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:14
And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 1 John 3:5
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1 peter 1:18,19
As you can see, only the biblicaly illiterate would try to put personal sin on Christ. That is why the workers of Satan try to attack the virgin birth instead. Unless a Christian understands the necessity of it, they may be swayed into believing a teaching that is outright heresy.
Think about this reader. Jesus lived for over thirty-three years and had committee no sins! Of all the miracles He did, this has got to be His greatest feat. This goes beyond murder, adultery, and theft. This means no white lies, no hatred in His heart for His neighbor, this means no evil thoughts such as lust or revenge. The average Christian, no matter how good, probably commits double digit internal sins a day! Can the average Christian man say that he never saw a pretty woman that led to some unwholesome thoughts? Can he say that when someone cut him off on the freeway he did not think evil toward them or say something sinful under his breath? Can he say that he has never told a white lie to spare someones feelings? Jesus is the only man who walked the earth who had no sin. He had neither imputed nor personal and was the only one who qualified as the perfect sacrifice.
JESUS Fulfilled God's Law
The Law brought down to Israel my Moses was in effect until the coming of the Messiah. Jesus began making many transitions in the thinking of the people of that day by painting a clear picture of what it meant to be under grace. His sermon on the mount was pivotal in showing what direction all future teachings would take.
First, Jesus showed that there was something beyond the teachings of the law. He would constantly tell them what the Law said and then show them a more excellent way of behavior, Grace.
Matthew chapter 5:
Adultery
27Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: -[The Law of Leviticus 18:1-30]
28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. -Grace
With Grace, not only is it wrong to touch someone who is not your spouse, it is wrong to look at them in lust.
Divorce
31It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: -[The Law of Deuteronomy 24:1-5]
32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. -Grace
Not only should you make your divorce legal before man, you must make sure that it is recognized by God who will only do so for certain reasons.
When we make Promises
33Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: -[The Law of Numbers 30:1-16]
34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: -Grace
Grace teaches that our word should be our bond. there is no need to add anything else to it that is out of our control anyway.
Love Your Enemies
38Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: -[The Law of Leviticus 24:17-23]
39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. -Grace
Grace is long suffering and merciful. Instead of attacking your attacker, trying being patient instead.
Notice the theme of His teachings. Each teaching includes the phrase “Ye have heard that it hath been said...,” and “But I say unto you,...” The “it had been said" is the teachings of the Law. The “but I say unto you” were the teachings of Grace. Jesus is telling them - yes, the Law says that, but I'm telling you this. I know the Law says that, but Grace says this. He consistently shows that Grace always goes one step beyond the Law.
The religious leaders at that time were incensed! How dare this poor carpenters son come and question our teachings. Worse than that, they thought he was destroying the Law. Jesus had to set them straight and let them know that Grace is not against God's Law just the fulfillment of it. Grace goes beyond the Law.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 5:27
Jesus came to fulfill all the prophesies of the Old Testament. He came to finish the Law not destroy it. Both the Pharisees and Christians today struggle with this concept. There is a difference between finishing a house and destroying it. In finishing, it is completed. Construction is over and it is ready for the next step- move in. In destruction, the house is gone and the people wander aimlessly with nowhere to go. So then, the outside of the house is the Law and the inside of the house is Grace. Jesus was trying to teach the people to step into Grace. He still is.
By the time Jesus was crucified, He had completed all that He came to accomplish. Every Old Testament prophecy had to be fulfilled and He made certain that they were.
They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. -John 19:24
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that thescripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. -John 19:28
After all the pain He had endured at the hands of sinful man, Jesus could finally go home to the Father.
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. -John 19:30
What was finished? The works of the Law for righteousness. We are not made righteous by keeping the works of the Law, we are made righteous by believing on and keeping the finished work of Christ. Jesus was the fulfillment of every sacrifice. His pure blood makes atonement and washes away the sins all those who believe on Him. He now sits in heaven as the final High Priest and intercessor. He represents us before God every time we pray in His name and will be our representative on judgment day.
For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 26Who 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 did once, when he offered up himself. Hebrews 7:26,27
I hope you can see that Jesus fulfilled every requirement of God to be our perfect sacrifice. He was the only one who could. He is the only one who is all God and all man. He is now our mediator before Father God and no one can get to God except through the admission of Christ.
Today Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, waits patiently for us to accept His invitation to salvation. He loves us, wants us, died for us. Step into His house of grace.
