How does Leviticus 5:12 connect to Christ's ultimate sacrifice for our sins? “He is to bring it to the priest, who shall take a handful of it to be a memorial portion and burn it on the altar atop the offerings made by fire to the LORD. It is a sin offering.” The Setting in Leviticus 5:12 • A worshiper too poor for livestock could offer “one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour” (v. 11). • The priest burned only “a handful” as the “memorial portion,” declaring the whole gift accepted. • Even a bloodless grain offering could still be called “a sin offering,” bringing real atonement (v. 13). An Offering Within Reach—Jesus Identifies With the Poor • This provision shows God’s heart: forgiveness is not gated by wealth. • Jesus stepped into our poverty: “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9). • His cross fulfills the compassion pictured here: anyone, high or low, can come through Him (John 3:16). The Memorial Portion and the Cross • “Memorial” means remembering before God. On Calvary the Father remembered every sin as laid on Christ: – “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf” (2 Corinthians 5:21). • The bread-like flour points ahead to Christ’s body: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven” (John 6:51). • At the Lord’s Supper we “do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19), echoing the memorial portion. Burned on the Altar: Foreshadowing Calvary • Fire in Leviticus pictures God’s holy judgment (Hebrews 12:29). • The handful consumed on the altar anticipates the full judgment Christ bore: – “Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). • Because the judgment fell on Him, none remains for those who trust Him (Romans 8:1). Completion and Forgiveness • After the burning, “the priest will make atonement… and he will be forgiven” (Leviticus 5:13). • Jesus is both Priest and Offering: “By that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). • Unlike the repeated flour offerings, His sacrifice is final: “For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). Sharing in the Remainder • The priest received the uneaten flour (v. 13). In Christ we become “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9) and share in all the benefits of His work—righteousness, peace, and inheritance (Romans 8:17). Living in the Reality of the Better Sacrifice • Assurance: the same God who accepted a humble handful of flour has accepted the infinite worth of His Son on your behalf. • Gratitude: “You were redeemed… with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19). • Walk in newness: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). |
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