How does Leviticus 4:35 connect to Christ's ultimate sacrifice for our sins? The Verse in Focus “He shall remove all the fat, just as the fat is removed from the lamb of the peace offering, and the priest shall burn it on the altar on top of the offerings to the LORD made by fire. In this way the priest will make atonement for him for the sin he has committed, and he will be forgiven.” (Leviticus 4:35) Snapshot of the Sin Offering • An unblemished animal stands in the sinner’s place. • The sinner places a hand on the animal, identifying with it (Leviticus 4:24). • Blood is shed and applied by the priest, emphasizing that “the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11). • All the fat—the richest portion—is burned on the altar, creating a “pleasing aroma” to the LORD. • The priest mediates, and God grants full forgiveness. Echoes of the Cross • Substitution: Just as the lamb bore the sinner’s guilt, “Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). • Perfect, unblemished sacrifice: The animal had to be flawless; Jesus “knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21). • Blood that atones: Animal blood pointed ahead to the “precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:19). • Fat burned as a pleasing aroma: Christ “gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). • Priesthood fulfilled: The Levitical priest mediated once; Jesus is “a great High Priest” who “offered Himself” (Hebrews 7:27; 9:11-12). • Complete forgiveness: Leviticus says, “he will be forgiven”; in Christ we have “redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7). The Priest and the People • Old Covenant: A human priest repeatedly offered sacrifices (Hebrews 10:11). • New Covenant: Jesus is both Priest and Sacrifice, securing eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12). • Result: Believers have bold access to God through His blood (Hebrews 10:19-22). Forgiveness Secured • Temporary to Final: Levitical sacrifices covered sin temporarily; Christ’s sacrifice is “once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). • Conditional to Complete: Leviticus required continual offerings; Jesus “has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). • Shadow to Substance: The sin offering was a detailed picture; the cross is the reality (Colossians 2:17). Living in the Finished Work • Rest in the certainty that sin is fully atoned for (John 19:30). • Walk in gratitude, offering ourselves as “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1). • Proclaim the sufficiency of Christ’s blood, just as the fat on the altar proclaimed acceptance before God. |
    |