But He, [Jesus] having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, (Hebrews 10:12)
ANZAC day, the 25th of April, is designated for both Australian’s and New Zealanders to remember and honor their fallen heroes who died in the last two world wars. This is a noble and right thing to do in honor of those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their king and country. As a result of their sacrifice, we bask in the freedom, peace and prosperity we live in today.
But their sacrifice surely should remind us of a greater sacrifice. Greater, because the bible says, “For very rarely will one die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.” (Rom. 5:7) In other words, the great sacrifice made by our war dead for king and country, was to die for a good cause, good people and a good way of life. And that’s exactly what they did, for which we are deeply indebted. But the greater sacrifice is this: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8) In other words, Jesus Christ, willingly and in obedience to His Father in Heaven, laid down His life - not for good causes, good people and a way of life, but for sinners who were at enmity against Him. Now that takes “sacrifice” to a whole new level.
His purpose for this? “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1Tim. 1:15)
Of course, we are commanded to respond to this sacrifice. Not in an annual remembrance ceremony, but in repentance for sin and faith in Jesus Christ. For He is the only way and one who could ever pay the price demanded by God to cleanse us of our sin and be eternally forgiven by God. Oh what sacrifice!