JESUS OFFERED HIMSELF

JESUS OFFERED HIMSELF

We often think of the cruelty which Jesus suffered at the hands of the Roman soldiers, and it is true that he did suffer terribly. It is also true that He did it for you and me. But there are some things which are overlooked when we think about Calvary and all that it embodies.

First, the Roman soldiers were not responsible for the FACT of the crucifixion. That was ordered by Pontius Pilate, when he caved in to the demands of the Jewish leaders. While it is true that the soldiers were responsible for their WAYS and ATTITUDES during the process of the events surrounding Calvary.

We MUST bear in mind that Jesus WAS NOT A VICTIM that day. He had choreographed all of the events surrounding the crucifixion.

He who calmed the sea, who raised the dead and healed the sick and maimed, and countless other miracles was IN FULL CHARGE on that day. While it is true that He was USING cruel and Godless men to do the "dirty work", He was fully in command of the situation. He was doing what He KNEW TO BE THE WILL OF HIS FATHER.

We are told plainly, in several places, that Jesus OFFERED HIMSELF as a SIN BEARER for the human race.

Hebrews 8:3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore [it is] of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.

The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews has taken much care to convince us that Jesus was ordained a HIGH PRIEST-- even though He was not of the tribe of Levi. He was of the tribe of Judah. The Levites offered bulls and goats, pigeons and turtledoves. But, what would Jesus offer?

We must remember that the Hebrew narrative is about the events of the DAY OF ATONEMENT, that most holy day of the entire year, when one goat was chosen for a SACRIFICE, and the other goat was designated for AZAZEL. Two goats were necessary, for the work of Jesus was to be TWO-FOLD. AFTER THE HIGH PRIEST returned from the HOLY OF HOLIES, he SENT AWAY (remitted) the sins of the people on the head of the goat for AZAZEL. I emphasize that the work of the high priest in the Holy of Holies was FINISHED before he RETURNED to the place where the first goat had been slain-- to load up and send away the second goat.

Hebrews 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

There will never be a need for another blood sacrifice-- animal or human. The offering that Jesus made is sufficient for all time.

Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

W MUST realize that the second phase of the offering of Jesus is still in the future-- the REMISSION OF SIN, spoken of in Acts 2:38. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

I capitalized the word FOR in quoting the verse, to bring out that the word in the Greek means "looking toward", rather than for the purpose of remission of sin. It is the same word used for the baptism of John the Baptist "unto repentance"-- looking forward to something which was not yet available while Jesus was alive.

Hebrews 9:16 For where a testament [is], there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.