THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025

The Ultimate Sacrifice: Christ’s Blood and Our Eternal Redemption

MESSAGE: FORGIVENESS BY SHEDDING OF BLOOD

The concept of forgiveness, in both human and divine terms, often demands a form of payment or restitution. In the Old Testament, God established a strict, rigorous system based on the principle articulated in Hebrews 9:22: “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” This rule was absolute, requiring an unending, cyclical stream of animal sacrifices to cover the people’s sins.

However, the foundation of the Christian faith rests on a radical and final act of divine intervention. God was never truly satisfied with the blood of animals (Hebrews 10:4). Those sacrifices were merely a placeholder, a shadow pointing toward the ultimate sacrifice that would abolish the need for all others. That sacrifice was the shedding of the perfect blood of Jesus Christ , which secured a once-for-all, eternal forgiveness for all who believe.

1. The Flaw of the Old Covenant

The Old Covenant, though holy and ordained by God, was inherently temporary and flawed in its ability to achieve ultimate forgiveness.

Routine and Repetitive: The sacrifices were yearly or routine. Every Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the high priest had to enter the Holy of Holies, first offering a sacrifice for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people (Hebrews 9:7). This constant repetition highlighted the fact that the blood of bulls and goats could only cover sin; it could not remove it. It was a temporary fix that merely reminded the people of their unceasing need for atonement.

The Problem of Imperfect Blood: Animal blood was an imperfect substitute. It lacked moral and spiritual parity with human sin. It was a placeholder designed to teach humanity the seriousness of sin and the necessity of a penalty—a death—to satisfy divine justice. God was not truly appeased by the death of an animal; He was patiently waiting for the perfect Lamb.

2. Christ’s Perfect and Final Offering

Hebrews 9:21-28 lays out the profound contrast between the Old and New Covenants. When Christ went to the cross, He did not merely perform another sacrifice; He established a new and better covenant, making all previous systems obsolete.

A Superior Sanctuary: The Old Testament high priest entered a “Holy place in heaven” (the earthly tabernacle or temple), which was merely a copy of the true heavenly sanctuary. Christ, however, entered the actual presence of God in heaven (Hebrews 9:24). This was a shift from the earthly shadow to the heavenly reality.

A Superior Sacrifice: The high priest used the blood of animals; Christ presented His own blood. This was the perfect, once-and-for-all payment that finally satisfied the righteous demands of a holy God. His blood, because it was the blood of the sinless Son of God, possessed eternal efficacy.

A Superior Result: The old sacrifices brought remission (a temporary covering); Christ’s sacrifice brought eternal redemption and final salvation. The ultimate purpose of His sacrifice was not just to appease God, but to permanently forgive our sins and deliver us from the penalty of sin and death.

The central truth of the Gospel is that Christ delivered us from the bondage of routine sacrifices. “But now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Hebrews 9:26, NKJV). The battle is done; the victory is won.

3. The Assurance of No Condemnation

Because of Christ’s single, all-sufficient act, the believer now lives under the assurance of no condemnation.

Redeemed from Sin and Death: Since Christ has redeemed us from sin and death with His own blood, we are acquitted in the sight of God. Romans 8:1 declares, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” On the Judgment Day, the case against the redeemed is already closed. When God looks at the believer, He sees the perfection of His Son.

Salvation is a Present Reality: This forgiveness and salvation are not merely future hopes; they are present realities. We have been saved, meaning we have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and have been reconciled to God.

However, this salvation, while a finished work on God’s side, requires our persistence on the human side. The Bible calls us to “continue in Him for your final salvation” (sanctification and ultimate glorification). The security of our salvation is maintained as long as we “remain in Him” (John 15:4), walking in faith and obedience.

4. The Eager Expectation: The Second Appearance

The text concludes with the glorious promise of Christ’s second coming: “To those who are eagerly waiting for Him He will appear to them for their salvation and take them to eternal rest in heaven.” (Hebrews 9:28).

• His First Coming: Christ appeared the first time to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself—to secure our forgiveness.
• His Second Coming: He will appear a second time, not to deal with sin again, but to bring final salvation—to perfect our redemption by taking us to eternal rest.

This promise fuels our hope and gives meaning to our faithfulness. We are not just waiting to die; we are eagerly waiting for the return of the Resurrected and Glorified Servant who will usher us into our permanent, heavenly home.

Conclusion

The shedding of Christ’s blood is the most important event in human history. It delivered us from the endless cycle of ritual, secured our eternal redemption, and guarantees our forgiveness. If you have been saved, your final salvation is certain as you continue in Him. Live today in the confidence of His finished work, eagerly anticipating His return.

Prayer

Dear Father, please deliver me from anything that will make me go back to sin again after my salvation and redemption by the Blood of Jesus Christ. Keep me rooted and grounded in Your love and power, that I may remain in Christ until I receive my final reward, in Jesus’ name, Amen.