No More Sacrifices Left

Courtesy clarita at MorgueFile.com

Many people are celebrating the Passover this week, which started yesterday. People are commemorating it in different ways. Some people see it as a time to annually watch The Ten Commandments. Some people view it as a time to look forward to the Easter celebration. And Jewish people see this time as a very sacred remembrance of God's deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. For them it also a time to remember the prophet Moses, God's deliverance through the Red Sea, and the giving of the Law. Even the sacrifice of the Passover Lamb has special significance. It is through this that the Jewish people are "passed over" when God strikes down all the firstborn of Egypt.

But around 2000 years ago, Jesus did something even his own disciples didn't fully understand at the time. During his last Passover on earth, Jesus told his disciples that, from now on, the Passover is all about him. He didn't focus on what God did in the past to deliver the Jews out of slavery. He didn't focus on Moses. He didn't even focus on the Law. He said to focus on his suffering and sacrifice. The giving of his body (his suffering) and the giving of his life (his sacrifice in blood). This sacrifice would bring to his disciples what no other sacrifice could ever bring: a new covenant of peace with God.

You see, this sacrifice supersedes all others, including the Passover Lamb, because it is greater and it is final. There is no longer any sacrifice for sins left because Jesus' sacrifice eliminates the final consequence of sin — eternal death in Hell. Jesus' disciples are "passed over," if you will, from sin's consequences by the blood of Christ.

So, whether it is the Passover season, Easter, or just another week, the Christian is always to remember how they stand — only by what Jesus did. And there is no other faith, no religious practice, no moral actions, or no deep desire that can save mankind other than the sacrifice of Jesus. His sacrifice is our only hope.