How does Leviticus 16:9 connect to Jesus as our ultimate sacrifice? Context of Leviticus 16:9 Leviticus 16 describes the Day of Atonement, the most solemn day in Israel’s calendar. Two goats were selected by lot: - One “for the LORD” (v. 9) to be slain as a sin offering. - One “for Azazel” (v. 10) to carry the people’s sins into the wilderness. Leviticus 16:9: “Aaron shall present the goat chosen by lot for the LORD and sacrifice it as a sin offering.” The Goat “for the LORD”: Foreshadowing Jesus - Set apart by divine lot—God’s sovereign choice, just as the Father chose His Son to be “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). - Offered as a sin offering—mirroring Christ, who “made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf” (2 Corinthians 5:21). - Blood taken into the Holy of Holies—anticipating Jesus entering “the greater and more perfect tabernacle… with His own blood” (Hebrews 9:11-12). Jesus, Our Sin-Bearing Substitute - John 1:29: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” - Hebrews 9:28: “Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many.” - 1 Peter 3:18: “Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the Righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God.” Parallels Between the Day of Atonement and Calvary - Single, sufficient sacrifice each year ⟶ One final, all-sufficient sacrifice “once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). - High priest entered behind the veil with blood ⟶ Jesus, our High Priest, entered heaven “beyond the veil” (Hebrews 6:19-20). - Cleansing of the sanctuary ⟶ Cleansing of our consciences (Hebrews 9:14). - Temporary covering ⟶ Eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12). Supporting Passages That Illuminate the Connection - Isaiah 53:4-6 — The Servant bears our iniquity. - Romans 3:25-26 — God presented Christ as a propitiation through faith in His blood. - Hebrews 10:1-14 — The Law’s shadow finds its substance in Christ’s perfect offering. - 1 John 2:2 — He is “the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the whole world.” Living in the Light of the Perfect Sacrifice - Assurance: Our guilt is fully atoned; no further sacrifice is needed (Hebrews 10:18). - Access: We draw near “with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22). - Adoration: Worship flows from recognizing the costliness of Christ’s blood (Revelation 5:9). - Alignment: We present our bodies “as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). |
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