How does Leviticus 17:6 connect to Jesus' sacrificial role in the New Testament? Leviticus 17:6 in Its Original Setting “The priest is to sprinkle the blood on the altar of the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, and burn the fat as an aroma pleasing to the LORD.” (Leviticus 17:6) Key Observations from the Verse • Blood is sprinkled on the altar—signifying substitutionary atonement. • Burned fat rises as a “pleasing aroma”—God accepts the offering. • Action occurs at the “entrance” to the Tent—access to God hinges on the sacrifice. • The priest mediates—standing between the guilty worshiper and the holy God. Parallels to Christ’s Sacrifice 1. The priestly mediator • “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5) • Jesus fulfills and surpasses the Levitical priesthood (Hebrews 7:23-27). 2. The sprinkled blood • “He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12) • “The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) 3. The pleasing aroma • “Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2) • In Him, believers become “the fragrance of Christ to God.” (2 Corinthians 2:15) 4. Access granted • “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.” (Hebrews 10:19) • The torn temple veil (Matthew 27:51) mirrors the open “entrance” pictured in Leviticus 17:6. The Blood: Cleansing and Access • Old Covenant—animal blood provided temporary covering. • New Covenant—Jesus’ blood provides permanent cleansing (Hebrews 9:13-14). • Result: believers draw near “with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22). The Fat: A Fragrant Offering • Fat was the prized, richest portion—reserved for God alone (Leviticus 3:16). • Jesus offered the entirety of Himself—body, soul, and will—fully pleasing to the Father (John 10:17-18). • God’s acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice guarantees acceptance of all who are in Him (Romans 8:1). Once-for-All Fulfillment • Repeated Levitical sacrifices anticipated a perfect, final offering. • “He offered one sacrifice for sins for all time.” (Hebrews 10:12). • No further blood need be sprinkled; the cross finished the work (John 19:30). Implications for Believers Today • Confidence: our standing with God rests on a completed sacrifice, not ongoing ritual. • Worship: gratitude rises as a “sweet aroma” when lives are surrendered (Romans 12:1). • Holiness: cleansed by blood, we pursue purity, remembering the high cost of our redemption (1 Peter 1:18-19). |
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