How does Leviticus 4:8 foreshadow Christ's ultimate sacrifice for sin? The setting in Leviticus 4:8 “Then he shall remove all the fat from the bull of the sin offering—the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails”. What the worshiper saw that day • A flawless young bull had already been slain (v. 3). • Blood was carried inside the sanctuary (v. 6) to secure forgiveness (v. 20). • Now the priest methodically separated the best portions—the hidden fat—for the altar fire, while the rest of the carcass would soon be taken outside the camp (v. 12). How this pictures Jesus, the once-for-all sin offering • Substitution made visible – The innocent bull bore guilt it never incurred; Jesus “was made sin on our behalf” (2 Corinthians 5:21). – Hebrews 9:12 links Christ’s own blood to the sin-offering pattern, declaring that He “obtained eternal redemption.” • The hidden fat set apart for God – Fat represented richness, energy, and the very best (Deuteronomy 32:14). – Christ offered not merely external obedience but His inmost being: “Behold, I have come to do Your will” (Hebrews 10:5–10). • Blood applied within the sanctuary – In Leviticus, blood was sprinkled “before the LORD” (4:6). – Jesus entered “the greater and more perfect tabernacle…with His own blood” (Hebrews 9:11-14), providing direct access to God for every believer. • The remainder burned outside the camp – Verse 12 (same sin-offering ritual) required the carcass to be taken “outside the camp.” – Hebrews 13:11-12 draws the connection: “Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to sanctify the people by His own blood.” – Our Lord bore sin’s curse in a place of rejection so we might be welcomed inside God’s presence. Key takeaways for today • Sin is deadly serious—nothing less than a life must be offered (Romans 6:23). • God Himself provided the perfect life in His Son (John 1:29). • Full surrender is the only fitting response; the “fat” of our hearts now belongs on God’s altar (Romans 12:1). • Forgiveness is not tentative or partial—Christ’s sacrifice secured it “once for all” (Hebrews 10:14). |
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