How does understanding Leviticus 5:6 deepen our appreciation for Jesus' sacrifice? “and as a penalty for the sin he has committed, he must bring to the LORD a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering, and the priest will make atonement for him for his sin.” The Scene in the Wilderness Tabernacle • Ordinary Israelites could not simply shrug off sin; God required a specific sacrifice. • A spotless animal—an innocent life—took the sinner’s place. • A priest, standing between God and the offender, applied the blood to secure atonement. Key Features That Point Forward • A substitute: one life offered for another (cf. Isaiah 53:5–7). • Bloodshed: “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). • Priest-mediated atonement: the guilty needed a representative (Hebrews 5:1). Connections to Jesus’ Sacrifice • Lamb imagery fulfilled: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). • Perfect substitute: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21). • Once for all: unlike the repeated sacrifices of Leviticus, Jesus “offered one sacrifice for sins for all time” (Hebrews 10:12). • Voluntary obedience: Jesus, like the sacrificial animal but with full awareness, willingly gave Himself (John 10:18). How Leviticus 5:6 Deepens Appreciation Today • It exposes sin’s seriousness—nothing less than life is required. • It reveals God’s mercy—He provides the sacrificial substitute Himself (Romans 3:25). • It highlights Jesus’ worth—only a flawless, willing Lamb could truly atone. • It magnifies grace—our forgiveness is costly to God yet free to us. Living in the Light of the Cross • Confidence: Christ’s finished work secures complete atonement (Hebrews 10:14). • Gratitude: ongoing remembrance of the price paid fuels worship and obedience. • Holiness: the gravity of sin and the grandeur of grace motivate a life set apart (1 Peter 1:18-19). |
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