Forgiveness Made Possible

The Virgin Birth was God’s way of preparing a sinless body for Jesus, His perfect Son… “It is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats can take away sin. Wherefore, when He came into the world, He said, ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me… therefore, we are sanctified (made holy) through the offering of the body of Jesus once for all” (Hebrews 10:5-10).

Animals could never pay for the sins of humans, but for centuries the sacrificial lessons, that God initiated through Moses, told the story of what Jesus would do when He came to earth to be our Savior. Yet His sacrifice would be with such perfection that it would forever end the sacrifices of old. With a once-for-all Offering, Jesus would “perfect forever” all those who place their faith in Him (Hebrews 10:14).

When Mary asked how the Virgin Birth could be possible, the angel Gabriel said to her, “With God, nothing shall be impossible.” Jesus fulfilled His mission to save us at the Cross where a wondrous exchange was made… “He who knew no sin became sin (a sin-offering) for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). 

To those receiving Christ… “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who no longer walk after the flesh (sinful nature of man), but after the Spirit (the new nature of righteousness from Christ).

Jesus said it was His joy to make forgiveness possible. So He sent His disciples to tell the world that He’ll return after… “Repentance and forgiveness of sins are heralded in His name among all nations” (Luke 24:47). What a joy to share such Good News for all people!

(Devotional by Lisa Cataford)