“He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world” (1 John 2:2 NLT).

CHRIST IS BOTH THE MEDIATOR AND MEANS OF SALVATION

The Greek word translated here in the NLT as “the sacrifice that atones” is the word “hilasmos.” This word is often translated as “atonement” or “propitiation.” It points back to Israel’s sacrificial system, whereby a lamb without spot or blemish was offered as an atonement for sins. Yet those lambs, offered every year on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, were only like checks written on a future deposit. Jesus is that deposit. As John the Baptist proclaimed, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Christ Jesus became the propitiation for the sins of the world when He died upon the cross. He became the atoning sacrifice that satisfied God’s holiness and justice. Our sin deserved death, but Christ died our death that by faith we might receive His life. As the apostle Paul wrote, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).

In the previous verse, John had identified Jesus as our “Advocate” with the Father. In other words, He is our Great High Priest and our Mediator. As Paul wrote Timothy, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim 2:5). This is why John began the second chapter of his first epistle with: “He Himself.” Because Jesus the High Priest, the Advocate, “Himself” became the Lamb, the propitiation for our sins. Jesus the Mediator is also the means of our salvation.

And not only ours, but also for the “whole world.” Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient for all. This is the good news! Jesus has paid the sin debt of the entire human race. Yet, the one who would receive this payment, this propitiation, must believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior. As John wrote in his gospel, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Have you trusted Jesus Christ as both the Mediator and Means of your salvation?

PRAYER: Dear Father, we are reminded of how great was the cost of our salvation. That You gave Your only begotten Son for our sins. We fan into flame our zeal to spread the good news of Jesus to the whole world. Anoint us afresh by Your Holy Spirit. Set us aflame with the love and zeal of Christ Jesus. In His name we pray, amen.