How does Leviticus 16:18 connect to Christ's atoning sacrifice in Hebrews? Setting the Scene • Leviticus 16 describes the annual Day of Atonement, when the high priest alone entered the Most Holy Place to make atonement for Israel’s sins. • Verse 18 zeroes in on what happens next: “Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD and make atonement for it. He shall take some of the bull’s blood and some of the goat’s blood and put it on all the horns of the altar.” (Leviticus 16:18) • The blood from two victims—the bull (for the priest) and the goat (for the people)—is applied to the altar, showing that sin contaminates even the place of worship and demanding cleansing by substitutionary blood. The High Priest’s Blood Application • Purification: The most sacred objects in Israel’s worship needed cleansing because God’s holiness cannot coexist with impurity (Isaiah 6:3–5). • Substitution: The blood stands in place of the sinner’s life (Leviticus 17:11). • Completion: Only after the blood is applied does the priest pronounce atonement complete for that year. Hebrews: Christ as the Greater High Priest • “Christ came as High Priest of the good things that have come… He entered the greater and more perfect tabernacle… not by the blood of goats and calves but by His own blood, and thus secured eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:11–12) • “For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the Most Holy Place by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate to sanctify the people by His own blood.” (Hebrews 13:11–12) • “He entered heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.” (Hebrews 9:24) Parallels Between Leviticus 16:18 and Hebrews • One Altar, One Throne – Leviticus: earthly altar before the curtain. – Hebrews: heavenly throne where Christ presents His blood (Hebrews 9:24). • Two Bloods vs. One Blood – Leviticus: bull and goat. – Hebrews: the single, perfect blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:14). • Repeated vs. Final – Leviticus: annual ceremony (Hebrews 10:1–3). – Hebrews: “He offered one sacrifice for sins for all time” (Hebrews 10:12). • Temporary Cleansing vs. Eternal Redemption – Leviticus: ritual cleansing that pointed forward. – Hebrews: “How much more will the blood of Christ… cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:14). Theological Takeaways • Holiness Demands Blood: God’s unchanging holiness required blood then and now; the type was animal, the fulfillment is Christ. • Substitutionary Atonement: Both passages affirm that sin’s penalty is paid vicariously. • From Shadow to Substance: Leviticus 16:18 is the shadow; Hebrews unveils the substance—Jesus. • Once for All: The annual rhythm of Leviticus finds its terminus in the cross; no further sacrifice remains (Hebrews 10:18). Living in the Light of the Better Sacrifice • Rest in Finished Work: Because Christ’s blood has been applied in the true sanctuary, condemnation no longer hangs over believers (Romans 8:1). • Draw Near Boldly: “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus… let us draw near” (Hebrews 10:19–22). • Pursue Holiness: Freed from guilt, we reflect the holiness of the One who met all its demands (1 Peter 1:15–19). |
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