Introduction: Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. His purpose was to be the lamb of God to give His life as perfect sacrifice for the sin of any human who will accept His death as substitution for our sins. Sins are deviances from the will of God for our lives and result in harm to ourselves and/or others. Sin separates us from God Who cannot be in the presence of sin. Eternal separation from the presence of God is known as Hell. Scriptures teach that one who dies on a "tree" or cross, as Jesus did, is acursed. Jesus became the curse for our sins as He hung on the cross. All religions teach that a sacrifice is necessary for forgiveness of sins. There is no forgiveness of sins without shedding of perfect blood. Jesus' blood is the only perfect blood because Jesus has never committed sin. Jesus was tempted to sin as all mankind is tempted, but He did not yield to sin. Jesus was the perfect lamb of God, like the passover lamb whose blood over the doorpost of the house prevented entry of the death angel. The blood of Jesus, the lamb of God who died on the cross, applied to our lives by faith, removes our sins. Jesus died in our place, for our sins. As our scapegoat for sins Jesus was resurrected from the dead three days after His crucifixion, known as Easter Sunday. In His resurrection Jesus arose with a glorified body that can never grow old or die. This resurrection is the "firstfruits' of the resurrection from the dead of those who have died believing in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of all sins. When Jesus returns to Earth at His Second Coming all who believe in Jesus Christ will also receive glorified bodies like Jesus' that can never age or die.

It was the plan of God from the beginning that Jesus would be crucified for the sins of the world that mankind would have access back to God after falling away from God because of sin. The immediate cause of Jesus' crucifixion was because of envy of the local religious leaders Mark 15:1-39 describes the day of Jesus Christ's crucifixion. Jesus was cruicified because of envy and fear of the rulers that they would lose their positions of power if Jesus were allowed to continue His miraclulous ministry among the people. Already the masses had demanded that Jesus be made king because of the great works that He had done. Jesus was aware that much of the crowd's adoration of Him was based not on their desire to serve God but because of the miracles of healing and miraculous provision of food for the masses. Jesus taught that although God certainly is interested in our natural well being He also is interested most of all in our spiritual status. God is concerned that our basically evil human natures be changed through transformation by an act of grace. Our human natures must be crucified and replaced by the nature of God which is a apirit of love and peace. For mankind to be able to receive a new, Godly nature there must be a sacrifice for our sins. Our sins had caused permanent separation from God Who cannot have fellowship with impure and unrighteous people. Jesus Christ's major purpose on earth was to be the Lamb of God, the sacrifice for all of mankind's sins.

Jesus was the Sacrifice for Sin The sacrifice for mankind's sin had to be perfect, spotless and without any kind of blemish. Jesus was the only person who ever lived who had lived a sinless, perfect life, doing only good and never disobeying the rules of God. Matthew 5:48 tells us that we are supposed to be perfect just as God is perfect. Jesus was able to live this perfect, sinless life only because of His miraculous, divine birth and nature, conceived by the Holy Spirit with Mary as His natural Human mother. Jesus therefore was not marred by the sinful Adamic nature with which all other mankind was cursed by Adam's fall from grace through sin. (Luke 1:26-35). Because of His perfect, sinless nature Jesus was able to be our perfect sacrifice for sin. (Hebrews 5:9). Faith in Jesus gives eternal salvation to all people who will believe in Him and His sacrifice on the cross.

Jesus Took Our Sins on the Cross The death of Jesus on the cross was mandated by God and necessary if all mankind were to be able to achieve forgiveness for our sins. Galations 3:13 tells us that we are redeemed from the curse of the law, becoming a curse for us since "cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree", as Jesus did as He hung on the cross, dying in our place, for our sins. As our sacrifice Jesus was the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. Our sins were nailed to the cross with Jesus if we will trust His sacrifice and believe that He took our sins upon Himself on the cross. (I Peter 2:21-25). While on the cross Jesus reminded His followers that He could call a legion (6,000) angels to rescue Him from this agonizing death on the cross. Jesus refused to be rescued. Jesus submitted to the will of the Father, God, for the sake of mankind, that we could have redemption from sin for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Name and in His blood that was shed for us. There is salvation only in the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12). 

By Jesus' Stripes We are Healed Before Jesus was crucified on the cross He was scourged, or whipped (John 19:1-6).The scourging that Jesus bore on His back after being sentenced in Pilate's judgment hall was accomplished with a whip similar to the "cat-o-nine-tails". The whip was composed of several leather strips in which were embedded pieces of bone or metal so that chunks of flesh were ripped from Jesus' back during the flogging process. There was great loss of blood during from the lashing, leaving Jesus weakened and hardly able to bear His own cross to Golgotha or Calvary, also known as the Place of the skull where He was crucified .

The Scriptures state that believers can refer to the stripes that Jesus suffered as the basis of healing from diseases (Isaiah 53:1-12). In the Old Testament the action of healing is present tense: "...by His stripes we ARE healed." while in the New Testament after Jesus flogging, crucifixion and resurrection our right to healing through the stripes of Jesus is discussed in the past tense speaking of Jesus Christ "...by whose stripes you WERE healed"(I Peter 2:21-25).

Healing for those who have faith in the Name of the Lord is a long-standing concept in the Bible. David discussed our right to healing, protection and youthfulness through faith (Psalm 103:1-5). Immediately prior to His ascension back to Heaven Jesus promised His followers that the gifts of healing would be a sign following believers in Him (Mark 16:14-18). Believer may pray for the sick in Jesus' Name and expect the sick to recover their health. The promise of healing in Jesus Name, based on His stripes, is repeated throughout the Bible such as in the book of James (James 5:14,15) and in many other references.

The Blood of Jesus Covers All Sins Throughout the Bible it is emphasized that the shedding of blood as sacrifice is neccessary for the remission of sins (Hebrews 9:11-22). During Old Testament times elaborate instructions were given for the animal sacrifice necessary for the remission of sins. These animal sacrifices looked forward to the perfect sin sacrifice of all time, Jesus. As the only begotten Son of God, and also totally human, Jesus, although tempted to sin like all other human beings, chose not to sin by a conscious choice. He therefore became the final sacrifice for sin when He was crucified on the cross for all of mankind's sin.

During His earthly ministry Jesus repeatedly told His followers that it was necessary to "drink His blood and eat His body" if they hoped to obtain forgiveness for sins(John 6:47-58). This was a difficult concept for His followers to believe. Nevertheless, at the Lord's Supper at the Passover feast Jesus again asserted the need of believers to "eat His body and drink His blood", by faith, as He broke the bread and passed the cup of wine at the supper (Luke 2:14-20<).

Earlier Moses taught his followers that the life is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11). Moses taught that it is the blood that makes atonement for sins for the soul. Paul taught that during the communion, or the Lord's Supper, which is to be observed throughout the church age (which is this present time), we are to repeat the statements of Jesus Christ, "Take, eat: this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me," and "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me"(Corinthians 11:23-30).

Through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ forgiveness for all sins and eternal salvation is received by the person who believes in the Name of Jesus Christ as the Son of God Who was crucified for mankind's sins and rose from the dead (John 3:13-18). Jesus was the Lamb of God Jesus' purpose in being born as a human being through the intervention of the Holy Spirit in Mary's uterus was to become the Lamb of God. He was the sacrifice for all time for all of the sins of each person who would believe in His sacrifice and in His Name. When John the Baptist first saw Jesus at the River Jordan where he was baptising those who were repenting of their sins he said, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin ot the world!"John 1:29-34

Reference to the Lamb refers to Exodus on the night when the death angel passed over the land of Egypt, taking the lives of all of the first borns of each house where the blood of the sacrificed lamb had not been swabbed over the doorpost of the houseExodus 12:5-14. This practice was commemorated throughout Old Testament times when the temple was available as the sin offering for the peopleLeviticus 9:6,7 Through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God who gave His life for mankind's sin we receive total forgiveness for all of our sinsI Peter 1:18-21

Throughout the book of the Revelation reference is made repeatedly to Jesus Christ as the Lamb Revelation 5:8-14 who gave His life for mankind's redemption through faith in His Name.

Sins are Forgiven Only Through the Blood of Jesus Jesus repeatedly told His followers that He was the only door to salvation and to the Father God. Jesus often reiterated that through Him alone are souls redeemed from the curse of sin which is rebellion against the mandates of God concerning our attitudes and behavior. Jesus emphasized that through faith in His Name believers have access to all of the promises of God and of abundant lifeJohn 10:7-18.

Peter asserted this truth before the Sanhedrin after he had been ordered not to teach the people about Jesus. He boldly afirmed the fact that there is salvation in no other name under heaven than Jesus' Name by which salvation from sin and the second death is possibleActs 4:10- 12

Jesus proclaimed the merciful love of God in providing a sin sacrifice for the sins of all mankind who had become alien and separated from God's presenceJohn 3:3-21

. Jesus' purpose as the Son of God was to serve as the Lamb of God to be crucified on the cross of Calvary for mankind's sins. Romans 3:23 states unequivically that every human being has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 assures that "The wages of sin is death (the 'second death', or hell) but the gift of God is eternal life (infinite life throughout all ages) in Christ Jesus our Lord". Salvation is assured simply by confessing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God Who died on the cross for our sins and Who arose from the dead Romans 1-:9,10 to return to Earth shortly in His second coming. Jesus is ready to accept anyone who calls on His Name for salvation according to Revelation 3:20, "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If ANYONE hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with Me." Calling upon Jesus Christ for salvation can be accomplished, and eternal life assured, in a heartbeat for one who accepts Jesus' promises literally, as Jesus intended them to be believed. Jesus said that salvation must be received just like a child believes with childlike faithMark 10:13-16 .

Jesus was Resurrected from the Dead True to His prediction, Jesus Christ was crucified for the sins of the world, and three days later was raised from the deadJohn 2:18-22. Jesus had told His followers "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live"John 11:21-27

Resurrection from the dead is a keystone of Christian faith. Jesus was the "firstfruits" of the general resurrection from the dead of all believers in Jesus Christ I Corinthians 15:12-21

The resurrection of Jesus underscores His role as the scapegoat for sin. The scapegoat was a live animal upon whose head the priest laid his hands, transferring the sins of the people onto the goat which was then released to run away into the wilderness, carrying away the sins of the peopleLeviticus 16:21,22.

Even as Jesus was crucified "outside the camp", or outside of the city of Jerusalem, laid to rest outside the city in Joseph of Arimathea's unused tomb from which He was resurrected from the dead three days later, so He carried our sins with Him in His resurrection. Those who believe on His name and repent before God will find that Jesus, as the Lamb of God who was crucified for our sins also, served as our scapegoat for sins, removing our sins forever. Once we are forgiven for our sins through the blood of Jesus (see The Bood of Jesus Covers All Sins, they are removed "As far as the east is from the west"Psalm 103:10-12

In his death, Jesus spent 3 days and nights in hell where He snatched from Sataon the keys to hell and death Revelations 1:17-18. On Jesus' victory and escape from hell He became the firstborn of God Hebrews 1:5-13. Believers in Jesus' victory over death and hell in His resurrection, like Jesus, also become reborn to eternal life like Jesus in faith. In this role, Jesus fulfilled God's promise in Genesis 3:13-16 that the woman's seed (Jesus) would bruise Satan's head. All power in heaven and earth now is under the feet of Jesus Christ. The enemies of Jesus according to Hebrew 1:13 are the footstool of Jesus. Since His foot is part of the body of Christ, spriritually reborn believers, who are now the body of Christ, by extension, also have Satan under their feet because of the victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ!

SUMMARY

Jesus is the only begotten Son of God who came to earth as a human to be tempted to sin like all mankind is tempted. He chose to refrain from sinning. As the only sinless human who ever lived Jesus was the perfect, sinless sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. Through faith in the Name of Jesus Christ and in His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary we have access to the Father God who cannot have fellowship with sinful man. When our sins are completely forgiven and removed from God's remembrance redeemed and forgiven believers now can enter into fellowship with God. Through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ we enter into eternal life, never to suffer the second death, which is hell, eternal separation from the presence of God. There is salvation in no other Name under heaven than through the Name of Jesus Christ who was the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of all who choose to believe on His sacrifice on the cross where He suffered and died for the sake of all mankind. To receive this free salvation one has only to confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died in our place for our sins and rose from the dead. Jesus will come again to resurrect from the dead all those who have died having faith in His sacrifice. Those who are resurrected from the dead along with those who are living at the time of His second coming will live and reign with Jesus Christ in His eternal Kingdom of joy and peace.