In the New Testament, Part 4

The Old Testament sacrifice was just like a guarantee. It would be like you signing a note down at the bank saying, ‘I’ll pay my bill.’ Next year when it comes due, you go down and sign it again. Year after year you keep signing it, ‘I’m going to pay my bill.’ But there comes a day when you walk in, lay the money down, and get your bill marked ‘Paid in full.’ After that you don’t keep going back again to the bank, signing the paper saying you will pay the bill, because the bill has already been paid.

The Old Testament sacrifices did not take away the sins of the people. It was like they were saying, ‘I know my sins are going to get paid for. It is going to be taken care of. They are literally going to be wiped off the books. One of these days it is going to happen.’ They didn’t know when it would happen, but they believed that it would happen. When Jesus came into the world, He died on the cross, and once for all He paid for that sin. That is why Jesus cried on the cross, ‘It is finished!’

Look at Hebrews 9:15, ‘And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.’ I know that is a long involved statement, so I will try to explain it for you. Jesus Christ is the One who is in charge because He died on the cross for our sins. He is the One who is in charge of taking care of sin. He is the mediator, the go between.

Everyone who lived during the Old Testament days was saved, if you will, on ‘credit.’ ‘Our bill is going to be paid one of these days, but we don’t have it paid yet.’ But when Jesus came and died on the cross, His New Testament, His new covenant, His payment for our sins was also the payment for their sins.