How does Leviticus 17:11 connect to Jesus' sacrifice in the New Testament? Leviticus 17:11 in Its Own Words “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls on the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” What Leviticus 17:11 Teaches • Life resides in the blood. • God Himself provided blood as the divinely-appointed means of atonement. • Only blood placed on God’s altar satisfies His righteous demands. Old Testament Foundations for a Greater Sacrifice • Daily offerings (Exodus 29:38-42) kept Israel mindful that sin always demanded a life. • The Passover lamb’s blood spared households from judgment (Exodus 12:13). • The annual Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) covered national guilt, yet had to be repeated—showing its provisional nature. Jesus Picks Up the Language of Blood “When He had taken the cup, He gave thanks and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’” (Matthew 26:27-28) Connections Between Leviticus 17:11 and the Cross • Same Source: God “gave” Israel blood for atonement; God “gave” His Son (John 3:16). • Same Function: Blood brings atonement—temporarily through animals, eternally through Christ (Hebrews 9:12). • Same Requirement: Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22 echoes Leviticus 17:11). • Same Location: Blood must meet God at His chosen place; Jesus carried His own blood into the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 9:24). New Testament Passages That Spotlight Christ’s Blood • Hebrews 9:13-14—animal blood purified outwardly; Christ’s blood cleanses the conscience. • Romans 3:25—God presented Jesus as a propitiation “through faith in His blood.” • Ephesians 1:7—in Him “we have redemption through His blood.” • 1 Peter 1:18-19—we were redeemed “with precious blood, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” • Revelation 1:5—He “released us from our sins by His blood.” Why This Matters Today • Assurance—The once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10) ends the fear of unfinished business with God. • Access—We boldly enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19). • Identity—We are a purchased people (Acts 20:28) who now live under a new covenant written in His blood. |
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