October 20,2017

Sacrifice of Thanks and Praise

“If someone’s offering is a well-being offering, and he offers an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he is to present before the Lord an animal without defect.  He is to lay his hand on the head of his offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.  Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood against the altar on all sides.”  Lev. 3:1-3

The important points from this passage include:

1. The person bringing the offering was considered a “worshipper;”
2. The worshipper brought an offering, which in Hebrew is “korban;”
3. The animal brought as an offering had to be without defect;
4. The worshipper placed his hand on the animal, indicating ownership;
5. The worshipper slaughtered the animal at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, informing us that worshippers were actively involved; and
6. The priests sprinkled the blood on the altar.

Can we see how all of this points to Jesus?  He is our well-bring offering, the sacrifice that brought us peace and wholeness and fullness.  He is the offering that established reconciliation between the worshipper and God.  He is without spot or blemish, fully man and fully God at the same time.  He was crucified and His blood was shed on our behalf.  He made peace with God on behalf of men.  Romans 3:23-25 also reinforces the atoning work Jesus accomplished through the shedding of His blood. Finally, we can see the fellowship aspect of the sacrifice in that both the worshipper and priest could eat of the offering.  This has an important reference to communion and fellowship.  All results in thanksgiving and joy.

Hebrews 9:11-14 shows the “better high priest,” “better sacrifice,” and “better blood,” if you will, of Jesus Christ.  As our high priest, Christ went through the better tabernacle; the heavenly tabernacle that was foreshadowed in the Tabernacle of Moses.  Jesus entered by His own blood, as both the sacrifice and the one bringing the sacrifice.  He entered once, doing so on the cross, and shed His blood, the blood better than that of sacrificed animals.  The blood of animals provided for temporary atonement and according to Heb. 9:13 that blood provided for an outward cleaning.  The blood of Jesus however, provides for permanent atonement (it only had to be done once) and His blood cleanses the conscience of the followers.