For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

1 Peter 3:18

Underneath this statement of grace lies the broken heart of God, the sacrifice of heaven, the brutality of supposedly religious men, and the searching love of our Father who would not abandon us to the cruel “Deathmaster” — Satan, the murderer from the beginning (John 8:44-45). For those who had once experienced animal sacrifice with its high personal cost, this verse is more than a headline: it is a “graceline.” Jesus’ “once for all” sacrifice meant that no more animal sacrifices would ever be needed (Hebrews 7:25-27, 9:11-14). It came with the promise that Jesus would “bring” all “to God” who relied on Jesus’ sacrifice — no more distance between God and us, no intermediaries between God and us. Jesus is heaven’s open door and God’s open heart saying, “Come home; I’ve been waiting for you.”

What a wonderful verse! Our precious Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins “once for all”, His blood shed on the cross is totally sufficient to pay our sin debt to God. When Jesus died He settled the sin question, the work of redeeming us to God was completed. If you look back at the Old Testament they repeatedly sacrificed animals to cover their sin, but it did not and could not last. However, Christ is the perfect sacrifice for sin before our holy and righteous God, no other sacrifice is needed or able to cover our sin.

What words, oh gracious Father, can I use to express my appreciation for your sacrifice and grace? I have none sufficient to say what I feel. But even in this realization, I know the gift of your Spirit ensures that you hear my words and my heart. Every good and lasting thing I have comes from your grace. Please receive my love and heartfelt praise for all you are, for all you have done, and for all you will be. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.