The entire Old Testament alludes to The Great Sacrifice that was yet to come; meaning, Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on our behalf (John 3:16; Hebrews 9:12; Ephesians 1:7).
Webster's Dictionary 1828 defines "sacrifice" as: To destroy, surrender or suffer to be lost for the sake of obtaining something. Thus, Jesus Christ represents the sacrifice (or price paid) as compensation for our sinful lives (Romans 5:8).
Bible readers are familiar with the various sacrifices that were called for in the Old Testament, still, none were more significant than the requirement of a "blood sacrifice." But, why..? (Exodus 12:13)
The answer lies in Leviticus 17:11 (NLT) where God proclaims to Moses: "for the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the Lord. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible."
The Old Testament contains scores of animal "blood sacrifices" throughout. These were only signs of something yet to come. This being, the definitive sacrifice of which would function as an enduring warning to the Israelites that one cannot be forgiven without the blood (Hebrews 10:4).
Hence, the shedding of innocent animal blood pointed to Jesus Christ. It's important to stress that the blood of the animal, and later on Jesus, is the "substitutionary atonement" for sin. In the latter case, He gives us life through his shed blood.
It should be noted that the Israelites had no knowledge of Jesus, his death on the cross in place of them for their sins, or his resurrection. They did, however, believe that a savior (Messiah) would eventually be delivered to them by God (Jeremiah 23:5).
If we fast-forward to the Epistle to the Hebrews in the New Testament, we are also given verification of the representation (symbolism) of blood as life (Hebrews 9:11-18). And this, in the application of Leviticus 17:11 to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
A careful reading of Hebrews 9:12 clearly indicates that "blood sacrifices" for sin in the Old Testament were short-lived and only partial. As a result of this, sacrifices were repeatedly performed during the entire year.
The necessity of these sacrifices ceased with Jesus Christ, as he was the supreme, substitutionary sacrifice (Hebrews 7:27); who now serves as our exclusive mediator (negotiator) with God (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 10:12).
Jesus (God) became the "perfect" sacrifice for our sins. The blood of bulls and goats was never meant to do this (Hebrews 10:4). Only the one-time shedding of the his innocent blood was enough to make amends (atone) for the penalty for our sins (Philippians 2:6-8; 1 John 2:2 ).
Scripture: Isaiah 53:4; Mark 3:28; Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 2:17; 1 Timothy 2:6
Prayer: “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” - Romans 5:2 (ESV)
Grace and blessings,
Margot
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