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We do not talk much about sacrifices anymore. That is because Jesus was the once for all sacrifice, and we do not need a sacrifice anymore. But what does the Bible mean when it talks about Jesus as a “sacrifice”?

We can start thinking of it like this. We all know there are consequences for our actions. If you do not listen to your parents, they will probably put you in time out. If you make a mess, they will probably make you clean it up. If someone breaks your toy, you probably will want them to buy you a new one.

Likewise, all the wrongs we do against God and others cause damage, and someone pays for the damage every time. The consequence for our sin is death, but God does not want us to die. Therefore, he sent his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus willingly came to earth to die as a sacrifice in our place. He is the sacrifice for our sin. When Jesus died on the cross, he was taking our sins with him.

But then something amazing happened! When Jesus died, death could not hold him because God cannot die. He was a man so he could sacrifice himself for our sins, but he was also God so that he could defeat sin and death once and for all.

The Apostle Paul said in Romans, “…while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).”

If you want to make Christ’s sacrifice the sacrifice for your sin, all you need to do is believe. We could pray a prayer like this to tell God, “I believe”:

“Dear God,
I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness.
I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son.
I believe that He died for my sin and that you raised Him to life.
I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward.
Guide my life and help me to do your will.
I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
This prayer comes from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.