A sacrifice once for all - O le taulaga e tasi ae afe mo tatou uma

Scripture Focus: Eperu 10:1-18

For the law, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near. Or else wouldn’t they have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is a yearly reminder of sins. For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. Therefore when he comes into the world, he says, “Sacrifice and offering you didn’t desire, but you prepared a body for me; You had no pleasure in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of me) to do your will, O God.’” Previously saying, “Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you didn’t desire, neither had pleasure in them” (those which are offered according to the law), then he has said, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He takes away the first, that he may establish the second, by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Every priest indeed stands day by day serving and often offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins, but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; from that time waiting until his enemies are made the footstool of his feet. For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them: ‘After those days,’ says the Lord, ‘I will put my laws on their heart, I will also write them on their mind;’” then he says, “I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more.” Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
- Hebrews 10:1-18 (WEB)

Study:

The letter to the Hebrews explains the limitations of the old covenant sacrificial system. The repeated animal sacrifices, year after year, were only a shadow pointing to something better. These sacrifices could not truly cleanse the conscience from sin but served as a reminder of sinfulness. Jesus Christ, however, by offering His own body once for all, fulfilled God’s will perfectly and established a new covenant. His single perfect sacrifice replaces the continual animal offerings and has the power to cleanse believers completely and permanently. Because He sat down at the right hand of God, His work of salvation is finished and complete. The Holy Spirit confirms this new covenant by assuring us that God will remember our sins no more, removing any need for further sacrifices.

Application:

In our daily lives, it can be tempting to rely on our own efforts or rituals to achieve forgiveness or righteousness. This passage reminds us that Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient and complete. We do not need to offer anything repeatedly to gain God’s acceptance. Instead, we are called to trust fully in Christ’s finished work and live in the freedom and confidence that comes from being sanctified once and for all. Let us also be encouraged to pursue obedience that flows from gratitude, responding to God’s will, just as Jesus did.

Reflection Questions:

• How does understanding Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice change your view of forgiveness and salvation?
• Are there ways you find yourself relying on works or rituals rather than Christ’s finished work?
• What steps can you take to live more fully trusting in Jesus’ perfect sacrifice?
• How can you respond to God’s will with the same readiness Jesus demonstrated?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your perfect sacrifice once for all time. Help me to trust fully in Your finished work and to live in the freedom You have won for me. Teach me to obey Your will with gladness and to rely not on my efforts but on Your grace alone. Amen.

Tags:faith, Jesus sacrifice, Hebrews 10, forgiveness, sanctification, grace, salvation, new covenant, Bible study, Christian living