On November 17, Muslims worldwide will celebrate Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrafice, by sacraficial killing of sheep, goats, cows or camels. The slaughter commemorates the story of Abraham who was ready to obey God by sacraficing his only son Isaac but God intervened by substituting a ram in his place. The number of animals slaughtered during this feast is enormous. In Bangladesh alone more than 15 million animals are slaughtered!
As this is the season of the Advent we are reminded again of a different sacrifice, one so totally different, one that was made Once for All! I am, of course, referring to the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. Jesus, who came to this earth to die.
When John saw Jesus coming toward him he said, " Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! " ( John 1:29 ) Isaiah prophesied about Him when he said, " He was led like a lamb to the slaughter " ( Isaiah 53:7 ) In the Old Testament we see a constant pattern of animal sacrifice, the blood that had to sprinkled on everyone and everything for the forgiveness of sins!
In Hebrews we find a glorious answer to the forgiveness of sins, namely Jesus' perfect sacrifice on the cross! Listen what Hebrews says;
" He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once and for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption " Hebrews 9:12 )
" Only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself " ( Hebrews 9:7 )
" Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being
made holy " And it is because of this blood, shed once and for all, that the author to the Hebrews can quote from Jerimiah 31:34, " Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.".....And where these ( sins ) have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin! ..........Hallelujah what a Saviour! Let us during this season of Lent be filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy ( 1 Peter 1:8) .......for we are redeemed ( bought back ) with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." ( 1 Peter 1:19)
