The word atonement is not found in the New Testament, although a suggestion of its basic meaning is found in Peter’s statement that “love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). But the concept of atonement underlies the apostolic proclamation that “Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said” (1 Corinthians 15:3), and the New Testament theologians approach the mystery of the atonement using symbols drawn from Israelite worship.

In this respect the apostles were following the example of Jesus himself, who had told them that the Son of Man had come “to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). The term lutron, “ransom,” relates to the Israelite concept of the redemption of the firstborn. The firstborn of clean animals were to be offered on the altar (Numbers 18:17), but the firstborn of humans and of unclean animals were to be redeemed by a payment (Numbers 18:15–16). As understood by the early Christians, however, the concept of ransom goes deeper, as a symbol interpreting the atonement of Christ.

Thus, in the New Testament, Christ’s death is called an offering or sacrifice; Hebrews calls his death “a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time” (Hebrews 10:12), and Paul says that Christ “offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God” (Ephesians 5:2), introducing also symbolism from the incense offerings of the Hebrew sanctuary. Paul’s declaration that God made Christ “who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21) also relates to the sacrificial rites; as applied to Christ, the word sin (hamartia) should be understood as “sin offering,” equivalent to the Hebrew hatta’t the sacrifice that rehabilitates the worshiper after transgression.

Hebrews elaborates on the concept of sacrifice as applied to the obedient death (under the figure of the “blood”) of Christ (Hebrews 10:1-22) and also refers to our sanctification “by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time” (Hebrews 10:10); Christ is not only the sacrifice, but also the High Priest who offers it (Hebrews 7:26–27).

Consider the tremendous sacrifice Christ made on the cross for your salvation and for the atonement of the world’s sins. During your time of daily prayer, and as the Spirit guides you through a time of fasting, recall His great work and offer your own sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.