ATONEMENT

The central theme of bible is atonement. God provided atonement for his people, so that He can reconcile them back to Him.

The dictionary meaning of ‘atonement’ is Reparation or payment of wrong. Bibilical meaning is payment for reconciliation of God and man. This is one act by which God and sinners are brought together. We know that man committed sin and went away from God. The SOLUTION is the atonement offered through the death of Jesus on the cross. There is no good works or activity that can bring them back to God’s presence.

Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’

God promised beforehand that He would provide blood on altar for atonement for our life. The life of the person is in the blood. So, blood on the altar represents the life of the person. The punishment of sin is death of the person.

Notice that during Old Testament days, blood of the animal sacrifice was used to temporarily cover the sins of men.

Hebrews 9: 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.

There is no other way for remission of our sins. Our good works, religion, our lifestyle cannot compensate for our sins, but only in the BLOOD is the remission of our sins. Without a sacrifice, we cannot be free from burden of sin, which leads us to death, curses, sickness, old nature, poverty, guilt, shame. We need a sacrifice to deal with our sins.

Leviticus 1: 4 Then he shall put his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. 

During the Old Testament days, it was necessary for the person to give animal sacrifices to make atonement for himself. It was a very common practice in those days. Those days, people had to go to the Priest, every year, to make atonement. There was no permanent solution of atonement for their sins. By the animal sacrifice their sins were covered up temporary for one year. They had to come back every year for the sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:3-4  But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins.  It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Those sacrifices were reminder of sins. They had to come back every year for a sacrifice. Permanently cancellation of sins was not possible. Taking away our sins permanently was the objective. Those sacrifices use to remind people about sacrifice again and again. Also the blood of bull and goat could not take the sins away.

Hebrews 9:26  If he had, he would have had to suffer many times since the world was created. But now he has appeared once and for all time. He has come at the end of the ages to do away with sin. He has done that by offering himself.

Beforehand, God had promised a permanent solution to our human problems. Here scripture says, by this ONE ACT of Jesus, He has permanently dealt with sins in mankind. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is the one and only permanent solution of our sins. 

Hebrews 7:27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for his own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.

In OT days, the High priests offered up sacrifices, first for his own sins and then for the people’s. After offering up sacrifices, he reached out to the place called ‘Holy of Holies’. He had to meet God for the act of atonement. He covered himself by blood of the sacrifice and carried the blood inside for the person’s sins.

But now, we have a High Priest who offered Himself up as the sacrifice for us. He was sinless and He Himself became the sacrifice for all. Through His sacrifice we receive forgiveness of sin.

To receive this we need to express our faith. We need to repent for our sins and turn to God. We need to be baptized in Jesus and we need to obey Jesus throughout our life.