Ask the Pastor #2

Welcome back to our ongoing series, "Ask the Pastor," where we delve into your questions about the Scriptures and our faith. Today, we address another intriguing question from Ronald in California. Ronald asks, "When Paul said that Jesus was the last sacrifice and after He came there was no longer a need for sacrifice, why does the Tanakh say that sacrifices are coming back in the Messianic age?"

This question invites us to explore the nature of sacrifices in both the New Testament and the Tanakh, examining the implications for our understanding of worship in the coming Messianic age.

Paul’s Teaching on Christ’s Sacrifice

The Apostle Paul provides deep insight into the nature of Christ's sacrifice, particularly focusing on its finality and sufficiency for atonement. In his letters, Paul emphasizes that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was a once-for-all event that forever changed the spiritual landscape.

Hebrews 10:10-12 clearly states: "By this will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time. And every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD."
Here, Paul contrasts the repetitive and ultimately ineffective sacrifices of the Old Covenant with the single, efficacious sacrifice made by Christ. Additionally, in Romans 6:10, Paul notes: "For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.
This passage underscores the completeness of Jesus' sacrifice as the ultimate remedy for sin.

Future Sacrifices in the Messianic Age

Despite the finality of Christ's atonement, prophetic books in the Tanakh such as Ezekiel and Isaiah describe a restored temple and the re-institution of sacrifices during the Messianic age. For instance, Ezekiel 46:1-15 details various offerings, including burnt offerings and peace offerings, to be conducted in the future temple.
Isaiah 56:7 adds: "Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples."

Reconciling Paul's Teachings with Prophetic Visions

The key to reconciling these scriptures lies in understanding the different purposes served by sacrifices:

• Memorial or Symbolic: Future sacrifices might serve as memorials, reminding us of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice, similar to the role of communion in today’s Christian worship.
• Educational and Worship Role: These sacrifices could help teach about the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin, serving as acts of worship and consecration rather than for sin atonement.
• Variety of Sacrifices: It’s critical to note that not all sacrifices were sin offerings. The continuity of non-atonement sacrifices like thank offerings and peace offerings can coexist with the finality of Christ's sacrifice for sin.

This complex tapestry of biblical teachings helps us appreciate the depth of God’s plans for His people, spanning from past covenants to the future realization of His kingdom on earth.
Ronald, thank you for this profound question, and thank you to all who are journeying with us in this exploration of faith. If this discussion raises further questions, or if you have other topics you wish us to explore, please visit our website at www.cornerfringedixon.com and let us know. We are here to grow together in understanding and faith.

Join us next time as we continue to seek answers and deepen our knowledge of God’s Word in our "Ask the Pastor" series. Your engagement and curiosity are what make this journey so rewarding.