How does Leviticus 16:30 connect to Jesus' sacrifice in the New Testament? Leviticus 16:30—The Promise of Cleansing “Because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you; then you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD.” The Day of Atonement at a Glance • Once each year, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies with sacrificial blood. • Two goats pictured substitution: one slain, one sent away (Leviticus 16:5–10). • Goal: complete cleansing so Israel could stand “before the LORD” without guilt. Key Connections to Jesus’ Sacrifice 1. Atonement Made by a Representative • High priest acted on behalf of the people (Leviticus 16:32). • Christ appears as our great High Priest, entering the true heavenly sanctuary for us (Hebrews 9:11–12). 2. Blood That Cleanses • Animal blood ceremonially purified (Leviticus 16:15–19). • Jesus’ own blood actually “purifies our conscience from dead works” (Hebrews 9:14) and “cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). 3. Sin Removed from God’s Sight • The scapegoat carried sins into the wilderness (Leviticus 16:21–22). • Jesus is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), removing our guilt permanently (Psalm 103:12; Hebrews 10:17–18). 4. Access into God’s Presence • Only once a year could the high priest enter behind the veil (Leviticus 16:2, 34). • At Jesus’ death, “the veil of the temple was torn in two” (Matthew 27:51), opening continual access for every believer (Hebrews 10:19–22). 5. Perfect and Final Sacrifice • Levitical sacrifices had to be repeated annually (Hebrews 10:1–4). • Christ “offered one sacrifice for sins for all time” and “sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12, 14), proving His work is complete. Cleansing Then and Now • Old Covenant: outward purification plus yearly reminder of sin. • New Covenant: inward purification, forgiveness remembered no more (Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:12). • Result: freedom from condemnation and joy in fellowship with God (Romans 8:1; 1 Peter 3:18). Living in the Reality of Fulfilled Atonement – Rest in the finished work of Christ—no added rituals can improve what He has done. – Approach God with confidence, knowing you are declared clean “before the LORD.” – Respond with worship and obedience, reflecting the holiness that His sacrifice secured (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:15–16). |
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