But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.

(Hebrews 10:12 NIV)

While touring the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, two visitors noticed several students on their hands and knees, examining the courtyard with pencils and clipboards in hand. Curious, one asked the tour guide, “What are they doing?”

The guide smiled. “Each year, the upperclassmen ask the freshmen to figure out how many bricks it took to finish paving this courtyard.”

One of the visitors leaned in and asked, “So, what’s the real answer?”

The guide grinned and said, “One.  It only took one brick to finish it.”

It’s a clever bit of humor that makes a powerful theological point.  If someone asked, “How many sacrifices did it take to finish paying for humanity’s sin?” the answer wouldn’t be counted in the thousands — it would be one.

For centuries, Jewish priests offered an endless stream of sacrifices. Bulls, goats, lambs, and turtledoves — day after day, year after year.  It was relentless, and yet it never fully dealt with sin.  Hebrews 10:11 tells us plainly: “Every priest stands daily… offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.”

But then came Jesus.  Not a priest offering another animal, but the sinless Son of God offering himself.  With his one perfect sacrifice on the cross, Jesus accomplished what thousands of offerings never could.  He paid the full price.  He satisfied justice.  He brought forgiveness.  And when it was finished — truly finished — he sat down at the right hand of God.

No clipboard or calculator required.

Jesus didn’t just provide a way — He is the way.  He didn’t make a down payment — He paid the ransom in full.  That means we don’t have to add anything.  No more sacrifices.  No more striving to earn what he already gave.  We live in response to grace, not in repayment.

So, whenever guilt creeps in or you feel unworthy, remember this: the courtyard of grace was paved by one sacrifice. One perfect Lamb. One finished work.  And that’s all it takes.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of your Son, Jesus. Thank you that because of him, I don’t have to earn your love or carry the weight of my past — it has all been finished at the cross.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Alan Smith
Reprinted with permission from Alan Smith’s Thought For the Day