“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,
and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world”
(1 John 2:2)
Reflection:
The Old and New Testaments are both a record and a revelation of God and His relationship with the humans that He created. Both are important to us. Amongst the truths that they reveal are these:
- God hasn’t changed
- Mankind hasn’t changed
- Sin hasn’t changed
- Sin’s consequences have not changed
What has changed is that the remedy for sin has been fully and finally revealed.
The Old Testament sacrifices were in themselves ineffective. What they did do was reveal the necessity of a perfect sacrifice to take away sin – something that could not be achieved through the shedding of the blood of an animal. They were always a reminder of sin and a pointer towards something greater that was yet to take place. This one, perfect and sufficient sacrifice was the death upon the cross of Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God Himself – a sacrifice that was known to God before the creation of the world and was revealed through the prophets. It was only through Him that the sins of the world could be forgiven and salvation effected.
Today we live on the ‘right’ side of the final sacrifice. We are not looking for it to occur sometime in the future – instead we are looking back on it in wonder and amazement and joy. What happened on the cross can never be altered, reversed or extinguished. It is there until the end of time as we know it. Today, tomorrow and until the end anyone who looks to the Lord Jesus can receive full and eternal forgiveness and salvation through that terrible and glorious sacrifice.
Indeed, God has not changed – and He never will. His love and commitment are a part of His essential character and can never alter.
Response:
God doesn’t change – but we can.
Prayer:
Lord thank You that You are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow – and that I can become more like You. Amen.
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(Photo: (c) Catherine Bondonno)
The Soaring Eagle 