How does this verse enhance our understanding of Christ's sacrifice? The verse in focus Exodus 29:18: “Then burn the whole ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the LORD; it is a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD.” Setting the scene • Moses is inaugurating Aaron and his sons as priests. • Two rams are offered; the first for consecration, the second for ordination. • The whole animal, nothing held back, goes up in smoke before God. How the burnt offering pictures Christ • Complete surrender – The ram is consumed entirely. – Jesus gave Himself without reserve: “He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). • Substitutionary sacrifice – An innocent creature dies in place of sinful priests. – “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21). • Once-for-all sufficiency – No part was left for the priests to eat; everything satisfied God. – “We have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). The fire and the cross • Fire represents holy judgment consuming the offering. • At Calvary, judgment fell on Christ instead of us (Isaiah 53:5–6). • Because the ram is reduced to ashes, nothing remains to accuse; likewise “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). A pleasing aroma to the Lord • The fragrant smoke signals divine satisfaction. • Ephesians 5:2 echoes the wording: “Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” • The Father’s pleasure in the Son’s obedience secures our acceptance (Matthew 3:17; Colossians 1:19–20). Consecration overflow • The ram’s sacrifice inaugurates priestly service; Christ’s sacrifice makes believers “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). • Because we are set apart, we present ourselves back to God: “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). Living in the light of the sacrifice • Rest in the completeness of Christ’s atonement—nothing needs adding. • Walk in grateful obedience, reflecting the wholehearted devotion pictured by the whole burnt offering. • Spread the “aroma of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15) through love, holiness, and worship, confident that God is pleased because of the sacrifice already accepted on our behalf. |
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