Monday: Ritual and Sacrifices
The Old Testament system of ritual and sacrifices, such as found in Leviticus, offers more examples of what we saw yesterday — Old Testament symbols pointing to New Testament truths. Though modern readers of the Bible often pass over these rituals, they do contain many important spiritual truths that can be of great value to those who study them.
Read the instructions for the sin offering for a regular Israelite in Leviticus 4:32-35. What can we learn from this ritual, even though we don’t have a sanctuary or temple with an altar where we can offer sacrifices for our sins? Connect this ritual with John 1:29 and 1 Peter 1:18-21.
Image © Steve Creitz from GoodSalt.com
A ritual is an excellent communicator of important values and information, and it needs to be understood in its context. It usually requires a specific time, a particular location, and a predetermined sequence of actions to be efficacious. Indeed, when we read through the biblical injunctions in the Old Testament regarding sacrifice, it becomes clear that God gave very specific details about what could be sacrificed, and when, where, and what ritual and procedure to follow.
Central to many of the rituals, of course, was blood and the spilling and the sprinkling of blood. This is not pretty, nor was it supposed to be, because it is dealing with the ugliest thing in the universe, and that is sin.
What exact role did the blood play, and why did it have to be put on the horns of the altar? While most of the rituals associated with the sanctuary appear in prescriptive forms (i.e., they give instructions on how to do it), they do not always include all the explanations. Perhaps that’s because the people already understood what it all meant. After all, people in Israel understood the significance of blood (Leviticus 17:11).
The example taken from Leviticus 4:32-35, however, contains an important explanation in Leviticus 4:35: “So the priest shall make atonement for his sin that he has committed, and it shall be forgiven him” (NKJV). Thus, blood was key to the whole process of atonement, the means by which we sinners can be made right with a Holy God. What we see with these sacrifices, then, is a type, a model, of Christ’s death and ministry in our behalf.
| Think about how bad sin must really be that it took the sacrifice, the self-sacrifice, of One member of the Godhead, Jesus, in order to atone for it. What should this teach us about why we must rely only on grace and never works? After all, what could we add to what Christ has already done for us? |
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It is easy for us as Christians to draw parallels (type and antitype) between the Jewish sacrificial system and the plan of redemption involving the sacrifice of Jesus. We have the benefit of 20/20 hindsight. However it is also useful to see the sacrificial system through Jewish eyes.
The Jewish word for sacrifice is "korbanot" and means "something which draws close". Sacrifices were performed by the Kohanim (Priests), the meaning of which is "Those who come close to the Eternal".
Sacrifices were essentially giving something up for one of three reasons:
1) for yourself
2) for others
3) to come close to God
Sin sacrifices were essentially considered a payment, either individually or collectively as a community or nation, for sin. In spite of the perceived cruelty in the eyes of modern readers, it also needs to be remembered that most sacrificial animals ended up being eaten. In fact the only time the Jews ate meat in the desert was after a sacrifice. (Except the incidence with the quails - which actually makes that story quite meaningful). Essentially the solemnity of the sin offering was followed by the festiveness of forgiveness received.
While Jews no longer offer animal sacrifices or indeed want to (except for some ultra orthodox extremists) practising Jews today believe that prayer has replaced the sacrificial system and is the mechanism that brings us closer to God.
The issue with the Jewish system was not what it represented but rather that it became a ritual associated with national identity rather than a relationship with God and man.
I don't want to give the readers the idea that the Christian view of the sacrificial system was wrong. There is ample evidence that the New Testament refocuses the sacrificial system onto the plan of salvation as we know it. But I think that the Jewish model of drawing us close to God is something that adds to our Christian perspective.
Today I am going to ask for input from you rather than give my perspective.
The lesson, in the last paragraph, mentions that "blood was key to the whole process of atonement, the means by which we sinners can be made right with a Holy God".
So, how is blood the key to how sinners are atoned/made right with a Holy God? What are the principles behind this ritual?
13 “‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing among you who hunts any animal or bird that may be eaten must drain out the blood and cover it with earth, 14 because the life of every creature is its blood. That is why I have said to the Israelites, “You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off.”
Leviticus 17:13:14
Sin required the life of the sinner. Since the life is hidden in the blood, blood is the key for the atonement for sin.
One of the way medical field considers a person brain dead is by looking at the flow of blood to head. Lack of blood supply to the brain leads to conclusion of brain death.
Hi Newbegin
Can you explain a bit more what you mean by "sin required the life of the sinner?"
Thanks
Phil,
Remember, Roman 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Phil, Eze 18:4, John 8:24, Rom 6:23.
I believe we find a good understanding of how the blood sacrifice is effective in leading to the justification of repentant sinners in a couple passages that come to mind.
Gen 22, and Rom 3:23-26.
It should be the sinner's blood that satisfies the justice demanded by the "perfect" law of Jehovah, who created all things. But in mercy, Jehovah offers propitiation in the blood/life of Jesus, His only begotten and sinless son, IF the sinner repents and believes(exercises faith) in "the power of God unto salvation"(Rom 1:16) which leads to sanctification. Any who do this will be presented "faultless before the presence of [God's] glory"(Jude 1:24).
The unrepentant will satisfy the justice demanded for their sin by their own blood/life at the 2nd death.
We have a choice being offered in Christ.
Well, the Israelites did not know exactly of Jesus, or how He would die on their behalf and rise again. The many blood sacrifices were meant to remind them continually, that without blood, there is no forgiveness.
Hebrews 9:11-18 confirms this symbolism of blood as life or substitute for life. So the Old Testament sacrifices were temporary and atoned for sin only for a short time that‘s why they needed to be repeated. As a sharp contrast, at His death on the cross, Jesus offered His blood once for all time this way making future sacrifices redundant.
When Jesus died on the cross He said: „ It is finished“(John 19:30) by which He meant nothing else in this world whatever you name it would be able to blot my sin away.
Only by accepting Jesus‘ blood shed on the cross, can we stand before God covered in the righteousness of Christ. 2 Cor. 5:21.
For me the core point I have discovered from the Sanctuary services is Jesus' substitutionary sacrifice for my sins.
This essential teaching is also found throughout the Word of the LORD from Genesis to Revelation.
Without this understanding of Jesus as the propitiation for our sins none of the other aspects of the Sanctuary services make sense.
There are many passages that emphasize this truth, here are three.
Matt 26:28
Jesus said This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins
Rom 3:25 KJV
For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. NLT
2Cor 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
We don't “have a sanctuary or temple with an altar” because the veil of the 2nd temple was torn apart at the death of Jesus, who by His death fulfilled all the types pointing to the propitiation for repentant sinners, revealed in the scripture references above.
What is meant by “never works”? Works are the measure of one's faith in God's grace as the Bible teaches. While saved “by grace through faith”, we will be judged according to our works. Without being sanctified, our professed faith will prove to be unbelief, and God's grace powerless to save. Works will never earn salvation, but will be the evident result, and it is our works of righteousness that glorify God(Matt 5:16). The redeemed sinner's good works of faith are the "new song" God has placed in the life of all who "repent and believe"(Ps 40:3).
We will never be saved BY good works, but cannot be saved without them.
Robert - if 'we will never be saved BY good works, but cannot be saved without them' - how then did the thief on the cross confessing faith in Christ with his dying breath enter the heavenly kingdom of Christ Jesus?
Brigitte, if you consider the circumstances surrounding the thief on that day and at that very hour, I think you will see the "good works" that his faith wrought in those circumstances.
What good works could you expect from one nailed to a cross and left to die? Yet, in the presence of all that unbelief, this one exhibition of faith shone like a light amid all that gross darkness. His confession/repentance with his request of Christ among all the taunts, mocking, and insults of the throng including nation's leaders, was no small work of faith. Jesus recognized in this confession of faith one who was truly converted and willing to follow Him, though it must wait until the resurrection day.
The repentant thief recognized the worlds Redeemer dying on a cross next to him, not the convicted impostor the others claimed him to be. He believed in the promise of the kingdom to come and asked to be remembered on that day. Nothing short of unshakeable faith would make such a request under those overwhelming circumstances. This witness has reached around the world and has testified to millions, and will continue to until Jesus comes. In this good work of faith, our Redeemer is magnified and God is glorified.
Hmmmmnnnn. So now what I am "hearing" is that your faith becomes the "work" that you must do if you don't have the opportunity to perform any other "work" that is required to be saved. Interesting how "work" is still deemed as the means of salvation.
Hi Michelle.
Work being involved in the process of salvation and work being the 'merit-basis' of salvation are two completely different concepts.
The issues is not work vs no work. Rather, the issue is merit-based work that is allegedly designed to 'obligate' God to 'owe' salvation in response vs work that is inherent to the collaborative partnership that is the process of actual salvation (eg Philippians 3:12-13). The former is the one that is problematic - the latter is the one that is necessary and essential. The understanding of this distinction has gotten very 'muddled' over the years.
Michelle, the exercising of faith/belief will bring about a transformation in the sinner if it truly exists(Rom 12:2, Titus 3:5). If evidence of this transformation is lacking, there is only unbelief. Good works(whatever they may be) are the result of being saved, not the means. Good works reveal that we have received God's grace through faith(Eph 2:8).
The thief believed, and "acted" on that belief in the only way he could, and Jesus acknowledged his repentance and faith with a promise.
Michelle - I also can 'hear' what you 'hear' in Robert's response to my inquiry as he states: "I think you will see the 'good works' that his (the thief's) faith wrought in those circumstances."
The 'good works' being done in those and in all circumstances was and is the work of/by people inspired by the Holy Spirit. He impressed on the thief that it was not too late to state his believe in the rightness of the Faith of Christ, the Gospel of redemption by faith; it was rewarded to him as righteousness and inclusion in the family of God. The thief's only *work* was accepting what he *believed* and publicly exclaiming this as his statement of faith.
Please permit my elaborations on your comment - I agree that 'faith' could/might still be considered to be 'work' if taking place in the context of some 'forced compulsion' outside of being convicted by the Truth of Christ's Faith in one's heart. Experiencing the punishment for his sin, the thief did not expect or hope for any changes to his earthly life.
At this late but not too late point in time, he felt compelled to confess freely the conviction of his heart - a broken heart and a contrite spirit -; he confessed that he *BELIEVED* and confessed/stated his believe. Christ Jesus knew his heart and accepted his 'change of heart' as genuine.
Our Father looks to rescue those who's hearts are broken and are of willing spirit to acknowledge/believe that it is a grievous error to walk in one's own ways; being ready to accept and willingly walk in the Father's and His Son's Way as the correct way, instead. And so, God's Mercy and Grace opens the gate, opens the door to carry this redeemed heart on its journey of Salvation through Faith until the end of time.
The thief did not have the chance to 'prove' to himself or to others the veracity or effectiveness of Christ's Faith - His Way of Life; he did not have to. God offers this living, active, redeeming Faith because He loves His creation from the Beginning and accounts Christ's Faith to us as our righteousness; if we only believe.
Yes Brigitte, the thief was not promised heaven because of his righteousness but because of Christ's righteousness which was given freely to him when he believed.
Just like us.
Seig, would you agree that the thief was saved because of his faith in Jesus? If not, wouldn't everyone be saved since "God so loved the world? Yet, the rest of this verse states clearly: "that whosoever believeth in Him". And if one believes, won't they demonstrate this belief in their thoughts, words, and actions? The other thief also asked for Jesus to "save yourself and us"(Luke 23:39), but there was no evidence of faith, and thus, no promise.
This lesson appears to be a radical (and surprising) departure from traditional Adventist teaching about the sanctuary. It clearly teaches that no blood from the altar of burnt offering made its way to the Most Holy Place and that the sole purpose of the sacrificial ritual was atonement, not the transfer of sin to the MHP or to the altar.
The only time blood from the sin offering entered the sanctuary was if it was an offering for a ritual transgression by either the high priest or the whole congregation. This would happen infrequently, if at all, during the religious calendar year.
Perhaps I am missing something here.