What New Testament passages connect to the sacrificial practices in Leviticus 3:3? A Look Back at Leviticus 3:3 “From the peace offering he is to present an offering made by fire to the LORD: the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on them,” The fat—the richest part—was burned entirely for the LORD, producing a “pleasing aroma” (v. 5). This pictured total devotion and fellowship with God. Christ, the Ultimate “Pleasing Aroma” • Ephesians 5:2 — “and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.” • Hebrews 10:10 — “And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” • Hebrews 9:14 — “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God!” In each text, Jesus fulfills the picture of Leviticus 3:3: the choicest “fat” of devotion offered wholly to the Father, securing peace between God and humanity. New Testament Echoes of the Peace Offering • Philippians 4:18 — Paul calls the Philippians’ gift “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God,” mirroring the aroma language of Leviticus. • Hebrews 13:15-16 — “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise… And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” • Romans 12:1 — “Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual service of worship.” • 1 Peter 2:5 — Believers are “being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Putting It Together • The burned fat in Leviticus pointed to complete consecration. • Jesus lived and died as the flawless, wholly-given “peace offering,” releasing the fragrance of perfect obedience. • Because His sacrifice is finished, believers now share His peace and become living, fragrant offerings themselves—through praise, generosity, holiness, and love. |
    |