Jesus said:  “Here I am. I have come to give my life" and Paul explains that "…Under this new plan we have been forgiven and made clean by Christ’s dying for us once and for ALL…Christ gave himself to God for our sins as one SACRIFICE for all time and then sat down in the place of highest honor at God’s right hand…For by that one offering he made forever perfect in the sight of God all those whom he is making holy.” (Hebrews 10:9-14)

The closest approximation of the Hebrew word translated “sacrifice” in English is “korban”. The word “korban” refers to something one does to draw near to God. In order to draw near to God, that which separates from God needs to be dealt with…sin. The word “sin” has no moral connotation, it simply means “missing the mark” or “falling short”. In other words it means failure…which happens to all men no matter what their station in this age – they fail to stay alive by DYING.

“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Corinthians 15:17-19)

So, in order to take away what keeps men from drawing close to God death has to be dealt with. And that is the essence of what the “sacrifice” of Jesus portrayed.  What followed his death is the heart of the “gospel”. Jesus died, was buried, and ROSE AGAIN…the first fruits of mankind who will all be eternally NEAR TO GOD after they die, are buried and resurrected to immortality.

“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive…The last enemy to be destroyed is death…that God may be all in ALL." (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

Under the Law given to Israel to atone for sin a bull or a goat was brought by the sinner as an offering (approach present) to be sacrificed by the priest for “unintentional” sins. However, for “intentional” sins, a perfect “lamb” was to be brought by the sinner to the priest. (Leviticus 4)

These offerings, however, could not “take away sins”.

“Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins” (Hebrews 10;11)

NOTE that the Law of Moses required the “sinner” to bring to the Temple the offering to be sacrificed on his behalf. BUT not anymore does the sinner have to bring to the Temple (or Church) an offering! …God Himself has brought the final offering on behalf of ALL sinners, and this sacrificial LAMB “takes away the sin of the world”… ALL “intentional” sins of the whole world!

“He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2) “…he said, ‘BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL.’ He takes away the first in order to establish the second. By this will we (sinners) have been SANCTIFIED through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL. Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until his enemies be made a footstool for his feet. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified (sinners)." (Hebrews 10)

GLORY TO GOD! ALL have been saved in Christ Jesus…by the GRACE of God. It is His gift to sinful mankind!

“So that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the approach present (gift) of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:7-9 CLNT)