Ezekiel 44-46 Why The Sacrifices Will Start Again Someday

God told Ezekiel that a time would come, when the Messiah was ruling, when sacrifices would once again be made in Israel.  Those sacrifices, according to my commentary, were for two purposes:  the cleansing from ritual defilement and for the new purpose of commemorating Christ’s death on the cross.  “Hebrews 10:4 reminds us that it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.  Rather, the sacrifices were an annual reminder of sins,” my commentary said.

It’s surprising to most who read the Bible to find that, absent the work of Jesus Christ, only sins committed unintentionally or in ignorance could be cleansed.  Sins committed intentionally could not be removed by offerings.  They could only be covered (According to my commentary, that’s what atonement means.  Having sin removed is reconciliation.)  Only Christ can take away our sins.  And since the vast majority of our sins are intentional sins, we should be sincerely grateful to God for what occurred about two millennia ago on this Good Friday – His One And Only Son died as the perfect sacrifice to remove our intentional sins forever.

Father, I hate the fact that I still intentionally and willfully sin and that, according to Your rules, only Your Son’s death could cleanse me of them, for with each new willful and intentional sin, I chalk up another reason that Your Son had to die for me.  I’m sorry that I do that, but I will be eternally grateful for His sacrifice for me, though I will never deserve it.  Forgive me, Father, and thank You for Your love.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford