Diverse Kinds of Sacrifices
Jesus’ death provided forgiveness, or remission, for our sins. The
remission of our sins, however, involves much more than the cancel-
lation of the penalty for our transgression of the covenant. It involves
other elements just as important. That is why the Israelite sacrificial
system had five different kinds of sacrifices. Each was necessary to
express the richness of the meaning of the cross of Christ.
Read Ephesians 3:14–19. What was the prayer request of Paul in
behalf of believers?
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The holocaust offering (or burnt offering) required that the whole
animal be consumed on the altar (Leviticus 1). It represented Jesus,
whose life was consumed for us. Expiation required Jesus’ total com-
mitment to us. Even though He was equal with God, Jesus “emptied
himself, by taking the form of a servant” (Phil. 2:5–8, ESV).
The grain offering was a gift of gratitude for God’s provision of
sustenance for His people (Leviticus 2). It also represents Jesus, “ ‘the
bread of life’ ” (John 6:35, 48), through whom we have eternal life.
The peace or fellowship offering implied a communal meal with friends
and family to celebrate the well-being provided by God (Leviticus 3). It
represented Christ, whose sacrifice provided peace for us (Isa. 53:5, Rom.
5:1, Eph. 2:14). It also emphasizes that we need to participate in Jesus’
sacrifice by eating of His flesh and drinking of His blood (John 6:51–56).
The sin or purification offering provided expiation for sins (Lev.
4:1–5:13). This sacrifice emphasized the role of the blood of the
animal—which represented its life—to provide redemption from sins
(Lev. 17:11) and pointed forward to the blood of Jesus who redeems us
from our sins (Matt. 26:28, Rom. 3:25, Heb. 9:14).
The guilt or reparation offering (Lev. 5:14–6:7) provided forgiveness
in cases where reparation or restitution was possible. It tells us that God’s
forgiveness does not free us from the responsibility to provide reparation
or restitution, where possible, to those whom we have wronged.
The sanctuary sacrifices teach us that the experience of salvation is
more than just accepting Jesus as our Substitute. We also need to “feed”
on Him, share His benefits with others, and provide reparation to those
whom we have wronged.