How does Leviticus 3:3 foreshadow Christ's ultimate sacrifice for sin? The setting: a peace offering on the altar • Leviticus 3 describes a voluntary “peace offering” (sometimes called a fellowship offering). • Verse 3 singles out “all the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is around them” as the portion to be burned entirely for the LORD. • Fat in the ancient Near East symbolized richness, energy, and the very best part of the animal (cf. Deuteronomy 32:14). In every generation Israel was taught: “all the fat belongs to the LORD” (Leviticus 3:16). Key parallels between Leviticus 3 and Christ 1. The offering of peace • The sacrifice is literally called a “peace” (šelem) offering. • Isaiah 53:5 says of Messiah, “the punishment that brought us peace was on Him.” • Ephesians 2:14–16: “He Himself is our peace … reconciling both to God through the cross.” Christ fulfills what the peace offering only pictured—full reconciliation and fellowship with God. 2. The choicest portion reserved exclusively for God • In Leviticus 3 the priest does not consume the fat; it is wholly given to the LORD. • Jesus is the “firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15), the Father’s choicest and perfect Son, offered entirely to God on our behalf (Hebrews 9:14). • At Calvary every part of Him—body, soul, spirit—was surrendered without reservation to the Father’s will (John 10:17–18). 3. The inward, hidden parts consumed on the fire • The fat that “covers the entrails” speaks of the unseen interior of the animal. • Psalm 51:6 reveals God’s desire for “truth in the innermost being.” • Jesus, sinless at the deepest level, endured the inward fire of divine judgment (2 Corinthians 5:21). The cross reached beyond outward suffering to the very core of His being, satisfying God’s holiness. 4. A soothing aroma ascending to heaven • Leviticus 3:5 calls the burning fat “a pleasing aroma to the LORD.” • Ephesians 5:2: “Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” • The Father found perfect delight in the obedience of the Son, accepting His sacrifice as the ultimate sweet savor. How this foreshadowing comforts believers today • Because the choicest portion has already been offered, nothing remains for us to earn; our peace with God is secured (Romans 5:1). • The fat consumed on the altar assures us that every hidden sin was addressed at Calvary—no corner of our hearts is beyond the reach of Christ’s cleansing (1 John 1:7). • Fellowship is now open and joyful: “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19). Christ is the reality behind the symbol: the perfect peace offering, wholly devoted, inwardly pure, forever satisfying the Father on our behalf. |
    |