If God hates human sacrifice, then why did he sacrifice his Son on the cross and how could his sacrifice be a sufficient payment for sin?

This is a question that many people have been asking. Some people ask this question, because they want to gain an in-depth understanding of the meaning of the vicarious sacrifice of Christ. Others also ask this question merely out of prejudice against him, just to argue against the infinite value of his sacrifice. But I must confess that either ways, the question above is really a good question, which has made me to think deep into the scriptures, and am very happy to give you a scriptural answer to this theological question.

God hates child sacrifice 

God hates human sacrifice and it is stated clearly in his word: You shall not behave thus toward the Lord your God, for every abominable act which the Lord hates they have done for their gods; for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods (Deuteronomy 12: 31). In another place, it is written: There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, (Deuteronomy 18: 10). Human sacrifice is detestable to God and he warned the Israelites not to engage themselves in such barbarous act. God abhors human sacrifice, for such act is contrary to his holy character. One day, God tested Abraham, he commanded him to offer his only begotten son Isaac for a burnt offering, and he heeded to the instruction God gave him. Abraham built an altar and he laid his son on it, and when he was about to kill him, God quickly stopped him (Genesis 12; 1-13). God did that to let us know that he hates human sacrifice, it is an abomination in his sight.

He established the sacrificial system 

God could have instituted human sacrifice as a way of making atonement for the sins of the people, but he did not do such a thing. Rather, in his wisdom he instituted the sacrificial system. The blood of bulls and goats were used to atone for the sins of the people. In fact, God was the first person who offered an animal sacrifice and later established it as part of the religious system of the Israelites: Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them (Genesis 3: 21). Animal sacrifices has always played a significant role in the bible. Animal sacrifice served as a type, it pointed to the once and for all time sacrifice of Christ. Animal sacrifices were insufficient in themselves to take away the sins of the people. They only foreshadowed the atoning work of Christ. Christ is the body of those types and shadows.

If God sacrificed Christ on the cross, how could his sacrifice be a sufficient payment for sin?

God did not sacrifice Christ on the cross. Jesus Christ was God incarnate. He was not a mere man, he was God in human flesh. We have sinned against an infinite God and only an infinite sacrifice can permanently take away our sins. For this cause, God himself took on flesh and dwelt among us and laid down his life for us. Jesus said: Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends (John 15: 13). Jesus died for us and through his substitutionary death you and I are eternally saved. Jesus Christ is theanthropos, and his vicarious sacrifice is more than sufficient to wash away our sins once and for all time.

It is important for me to establish this fact also, that Jesus Christ died willingly, no one forced him to die for us. On earth, no one could take away his life from him, he laid it down of his own accord: For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father" (John 10: 18). 

When the soldiers came to arrest him, look at what happened: So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, "Whom do you seek? They answered Him, "Jesus the Nazarene." He said to them, "I am He. " And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. So when He said to them, "I am He, " they drew back and fell to the ground (John 18: 4-6). When Jesus told the soldiers he was the One whom they are seeking, instantly they fell to the ground, which is an indication that he willingly allowed himself to be bound. On the cross, Jesus said:  Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit ( Luke 23: 46). Jesus yielded up his spirit into his father's hands, which means that he voluntarily laid down his precious life for us. But the good news is that after his death, he rose again on the third day, and whoever that believes in him for salvation will not perish, but shall have everlasting life (John 3; 16).

A thought to ponder 🤔

Jesus Christ is theanthropos, and his vicarious sacrifice is more than sufficient to wash away our sins once and for all time

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