Why Do We Not Have Sacrifices Anymore?

A question that comes up when one goes through the Old Testament is why do we not have a sacrifices anymore. That is a fair question because God has instituted the sacrificial in the book of Leviticus which seems to be one part that most people tend to skip when reading the through the Bible. We see sacrifices being offered to the Lord and even commanded in the Old Testament but we do not see them in the New Testament. Did God change His mind or lighten up His commands? Not at all.

The first thing we need to understand is they were not done away with but fulfilled in the Person of Christ. Jesus said, "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill" (Matthew 5:17, LSB). Jesus did not come to do away with the Law but to fulfill it. He came a curse for us when He died on the cross in our place for our sin (Galatians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21). 

A sacrifice is still required in accordance with the Law, but those who are in Christ already have a sacrifice that is perfect without any defect, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified" (Hebrews 10:14, LSB). We will never have to offer any sacrifice because Christ was a our sacrifice. His death was once for all. 

As a result of Christ's finished work on the cross, we have no need for not only sacrifices, but also priests and alters. J.C. Ryle wrote, "Priests, altars, and sacrifices all ceased to be necessary when the Lamb of God offered up Himself. Their office came to an end. Their work was done."

Why don't we have sacrifices anymore? It's because the Son of God was our Perfect Sacrifice that appeased God's wrath by taking our place on the cross for our sins. This sacrifice will never be offered ever again.