We must have God’s forgiveness, or we have nothing. The incarnation leads to the cross of Christ, and the cross is where forgiveness can be found. In the book of Hebrews, the author writes, “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (Hebrews 10:4).
The writer continues noting that it was God’s will that a body be prepared for the Son for a better sacrifice for sin:
Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—
I have come to do your will, my God.’”
First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:6-10).
Because of the incarnation, Jesus was able “by one sacrifice make perfect forever those who are being made holy.” That sacrifice was himself.
The writer continues:
The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
“This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”
Then he adds:
“Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more.”
And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary (10:15-18).
Christ died once for all for sin. Anyone who puts their faith in Christ and his death and resurrection will be forgiven. The superiority of his bodily sacrifice is demonstrated in that when sins are forgiven based on HIS sacrifice. Are your sins forgiven? Have you turned from whatever you are trusting to Jesus Christ and his bodily death and resurrection for sin? God’s will for forgiving our sins is found in Jesus Christ and his bodily sacrifice for sin. If you have God’s forgiveness, you have hope.
-Pastor