Once & For All

Scripture: Hebrews 10:14

For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

The birth, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ was purposed  for the redeemption of mankind back to the Father, through the shedding of His blood. For without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. In order for mankind to be redeemed back to the Father, blood had to be shed; but not just any blood. In the old testament the blood of specific types of animals had to be offered up for the sins of the people. The priest would be required to offer up gifts and (blood) sacrifices on an annual basis for the sins of the people.

However, the priest themselves also had sin and needed to be cleansed before offering up sacrifices for sin; otherwise they would die in the midst of presenting the sacrifice.Therefore, it was necessary for the Lord Jesus Christ to come in the place of sinful man; because He Himself was sinless; and could stand in proxy for the sin of the world.

Jesus made a way for us to approach the throne of God's grace, at the last supper, and through His death and ressurection. The disciples partook of the Lord's Supper, and He explained to them the purpose of the bread and the wine. The bread represented His body which was broken for us, the wine represented His blood which was shed for us.

His body also represented the tabernacle, in which was previously only entered by the the priests in order to cleanse the people of sin. When Jesus died on the cross for the sin of the world, and then rose again on the third day; a new covenant (agreement) was established for man to approach the throne of God through the blood of Jesus, through humility and grace.

We no longer have to go through someone else to approach the throne of grace. We can go to our heavenly Father in prayer for ourselves. There is no need for offerings for sin any longer, because Jesus presented Himself as the perfect offering for our sin. His offering was perfect, because He was, and is, Holy, and utterly without sin.

When we partake of the Lord's Supper, we remember what Jesus has done for us; by sacrificing His life and His blood. He gave us access to our heavenly Father, so that we could have relationship with Him; as did Adam and Eve in the garden before they fell into sin.

The divine plan of redeemption of mankind back to the Father was fulfilled once and for all, with the sacrifice of Christ.

Strong's Concordance Definitions:
For by one: 1520
1) one

Offering - 4376
1) the act of offering, a bringing to

2) that which is offered, a gift, a present. In the NT a sacrifice, whether bloody or not: offering for sin, expiatory offering

He has perfected: 5048
1) to make perfect, complete

a) to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end
2) to complete (perfect)
a) add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full
b) to be found perfect
3) to bring to the end (goal) proposed
4) to accomplish
a) bring to a close or fulfilment by event
1) of the prophecies of the scriptures

For all - 1336
1) continuously, continuous

Sanctified - 37
1) to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow

2) to separate from profane things and dedicate to God
a) consecrate things to God
b) dedicate people to God
3) to purify
a) to cleanse externally
b) to purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin
c) to purify internally by renewing of the soul

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Letter to the Hebrews 10 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2009. 13 Dec 2009. < http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Hbr&c=10&t=NASB >


Higgins, S. (2009). Once & For All. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing, http://www.higginspublishing.com, http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com