THURSDAY January 29, 2026

Why Did Jesus Appear?

...not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
Hebrews 9:25-26

Our sin is put away! Jesus did not have to continually offer Himself as a sacrifice as the high priest did in Old Testament times. The high priest entered the Most Holy Place once a year to offer a sacrifice for his sin and the people’s. Jesus appeared for the purpose of offering His life once––just once! He suffered and died once for our sin to be forgiven. Then He resurrected and conquered death––death is overcome.

The argument given here in Hebrews 9:26, is that if Jesus’ sacrifice was not sufficient, then He would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world. But that is not what happened. Our sinless Savior met all the necessary requirements––a Lamb without spot or blemish:

...knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,  but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Sadly, what are Catholics taught during Mass? They are taught that, through the power of the Holy Spirit and the words of the priest, the Holy Communion––the bread and the wine––are changed into the body and blood of Christ. They call this the doctrine of transubstantiation. Imagine, every Sunday, at every service, they are believing that they are crucifying Jesus Christ afresh!

The Bible teaches us that Jesus was crucified, once and for all. Underline this truth in your Bible: but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Hebrews 9:26). This should cause us to wonder at the amazing power of God!

To God be the glory, great things He hath done, so loved He the world that He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, and opened the life-gate that all may go in.
~Fanny J. Crosby~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!