How Is Jesus' Sacrifice "a Sacrifice for Many"?

How does the ransom work?

In the Bible, the term "ransom" involves the following elements:

1. It is a payment. -NUMBERS 3:46, 47.

2. It brings about a release,  redemption.  -EXODUS  21:30. 

3.  It corresponds to the value of what is paid for, or covers it. 

Consider how these elements  apply to the ransom of Jesus Christ.

1 Payment. The Bible says that Christians were "bought with a price." (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23)  The price is the blood of Jesus, with which he "bought people for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation." - REVELATION 5:8, 9.

2. Release.  Jesus' sacrifice provides "a release by ransom" from sin. - 1 CORINTHIANS 1:30; COLOSSIANS 1:14; HEBREWS 9:15. 

3. Correspondence.  Jesus' sacrifice corresponds exactly to what Adam lost - one perfect human life.  (1 Corinthians 15:21, 22, 45, 46) The Bible says: "Just as through the disobedience of the one man [Adam] many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one person [Jesus Christ] many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:19) This explains how the death of one man can pay the ransom for many sinners.  In fact, Jesus' sacrifice is "a corresponding ransom for all" those who take the steps necessary to benefit from it. - 1 TIMOTHY 2:5, 6.

Next time: Who or What Are Angels?/The Bible's Answer

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