What does it mean that Christ was offered once (Hebrews 9:28)?

People have always sought ways to make things right with a god or divine being of some sort. In many religions, people offer sacrifices repeatedly to atone for wrongdoing and earn their god’s favor. However, Hebrews 9:28 gives us the true God’s plan: “Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people” (NLT). God’s Son, Jesus Christ, offered up His body on the cross. This once-for-all sacrifice was sufficient to atone for our sins and make us right with God. His resurrection on the third day certified His sacrifice as approved by God.

In Hebrews 9, the writer contrasts the earthly and heavenly sanctuaries. The earthly sanctuary is built by human hands, but the heavenly sanctuary is God’s dwelling, and it is there Christ ministers. The Old Testament rituals, sacrifices, and temple furnishings were “copies of things in heaven” (Hebrews 9:23, NLT) and serve as a reminder that spiritual cleansing cannot come through rituals alone.

Under the Old Covenant, the high priest entered the Most Holy Place year after year to offer the blood of an animal sacrifice. But “Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands. . . . He entered into heaven to appear now before God on our behalf” (Hebrews 9:24, NLT). Jesus’ sacrifice was not temporary but eternal. It does not need repeating (Hebrews 9:26).

Just as people die once and face judgment, Christ was offered once to take away sins. Another sacrifice is not necessary. Sin has been dealt with completely. Death is a one-time event, and so was Jesus’ sacrifice. His work is complete, and “now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne” (Hebrews 12:2, NLT).

The Greek word translated as “once” in Hebrews 9:28 signifies a single, unrepeatable act. Jesus’ sacrifice was not provisional or partial, like the Old Covenant sacrifices; it was final. He fulfilled everything contained in the law. As He died on the cross, Jesus cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30). There is nothing more to be done to pay for our sin. We accept the gift of salvation by faith (Ephesians 2:8).

The Old Testament priests offered numerous sacrifices. Hebrews 10:11–12 points out the contrast between the continuous duties of the Levitical priests and the finished work of Christ: “Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time” (NLT).

There is no other sacrifice needed, because Jesus’ was sufficient. He is the perfect Lamb of God, “without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:19). His death was more than an act of love; Jesus satisfied God’s righteous demand for justice; He became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21) and was punished for that sin on our behalf (Isaiah 53:4–5). And, “when he died, he died once to break the power of sin” (Romans 6:10, NLT). One of the wonderful benefits of salvation in Christ is that the power of sin has been broken.

Because Christ was offered once, we do not need to earn God’s favor through good works. We already have His favor; we are already “accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6, NKJV). Neither do we need to resort to doing penance to make up for our sin—they are already paid for, and there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). “By that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy” (Hebrews 10:14, NLT). Faith in Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice gives us a once-for-all identity: we are justified, forgiven, and set apart for His glory.

The same verse saying Jesus was offered once also looks forward to His return: “He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for Him” (Hebrews 9:28, NLT). Jesus’ first coming was as the sacrificial Lamb; His second coming will be to judge the world and bring His children to glory.