Christ Jesus is the Only Sacrifice Acceptable to God For He is Sinless and Has Made Atonement For Sinners (Leviticus 1:1-9).

The Hebrews had significant rituals. In Leviticus 1:1-9 we have the ritual regarding the sacrifice of an animal for the atonement of sins. Leviticus 1:1-9 teaches us the nature of that offering. Let me go one step ahead and state that from the New Testament perspective we learn what this ritual means. It signifies that Christ Jesus is the only sacrifice acceptable to God for he is sinless and has made atonement for sinners.

Observe some characteristics of the animal sacrifice. The idea of an atoning offering was initiated by the Lord (1:1,2). The Lord called Moses and told Moses to speak to the children of Israel indicating thereby that he desired reconciliation with sinners. He took the initiative. He does not desire the destruction of sinners but their redemption. From the New Testament we see that God took the initiative in sending his Son Christ Jesus into a fallen world to save sinners from their sins. God desires the salvation of sinners.

The offering was to be without blemish (1:3). The Lord would not accept a second class offering. The animal had to be the very best. In the days of Malachi Israel faced the wrath of God when it offered up blind, lame and sick animals (Malachi 1:8). Jesus is the only sacrifice acceptable to God because he was without blemish. His innocence and perfection are beyond question. He alone is acceptable to God. The founders of other religions may have huge followings but none can compare to Jesus. All leaders have flaws and are imperfect. Jesus alone is perfect. As such he alone is the perfect offering.

The offering was accepted on behalf of the sinner (1:4). Thus atonement was made for him. In atonement the estranged are brought back into the fold. The grieved party, in this case the Lord, is appeased and now there is an harmonious relationship in place. Jesus has made atonement for us. He was made to be sin who knew no sin. He paid the penalty for our sin by offering up his life. He appeased the holy Father who is able to say of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased.”

Sinners resolutely identify with the offering (1:4). The Hebrews would place their hands upon the head of the offering. The verb used here “implies pressing with vigour upon the animal’s head” (Robert Coleman). It shows a full identification with the offering. A person’s sins were symbolically transferred to the offering not by a casual touch but by leaning on the sacrifice. When sinners come to Jesus it is because they are determined they want cleansing and salvation. There can be no half heartedness if we want to identify with Jesus.

The offering is slain and its blood is shed (1:5). Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. The animal was killed in the presence of the Lord. So Jesus is slain before the Father. The animal’s blood is shed and is sprinkled all around the altar. So the blood of Jesus is shed for our sins.

Finally, the offering is consumed by fire (1:1-9). The offering is known as the whole burnt offering because the entire animal is offered up in fire. So Jesus is consumed by the fire of God’s wrath. All our sins are upon him. He takes them all. Can there be any other substitute for the sinner? Just as the offering was a sweet aroma to the Lord so the offering of Jesus is acceptable to God. There is now perfect peace between the forgiven sinner and a holy God.

Thanks be to God for the offering of Jesus the sinner’s perfect sacrifice. Let us hold on to what the Bible teaches. Beware of retrogression This means going backwards. Some people mistakenly believe there will come a time when Israel shall again make animal offerings to the Lord and that the Christian church will ceremonially participate in such offerings. But this is retrogression. The animal sacrificial ritual has been fulfilled and is no longer relevant to salvation. I believe there will be a future conversion of Israel and that the land of Israel will play a role in this conversion but I cannot see how animal sacrifices play a role in this future conversion.

Beware also of making the religion of Jesus equal with all other religions. Jesus is unique. Today the tide of opinion is that all religions are equal and that it does not matter which one you follow. All this sounds very appealing but if you go by the Bible then such a view cannot be accepted. We must stand upon the authority of the Bible and assert that Jesus is the only sacrifice acceptable to God. He is the only Saviour. We must stand with Martin Luther and say “Sola Scriptura”. Luther stood on what the Bible taught and faced the issue of his day, namely salvation. We must take a similar stance and uphold the supreme authority of the Bible and face the issues of our age and one such issue is whether Jesus is the only way of salvation. The world is very general in this matter but the Bible is specific. Jesus is the only Saviour. He is, as I have been saying, the only offering acceptable to God for he alone is without sin and has made atonement for sinners.

Come today and receive Jesus as your perfect substitute. He has fulfilled the Levitical law of animal sacrifices. There is no requirement for you to make an offering. What is required of you is repentance and faith in Jesus. Now is your opportunity. Do not hear in vain. Say a prayer of repentance and believe on the Lord. Amen.

(Summary of a sermon by David Yan)