Jesus in Leviticus

A major theme of Leviticus is holiness and being set apart. This is how the people of God are called to live. God’s kingdom is different than the world, requiring acknowledgement and payment for sins and a turn toward holiness. But the law itself and our inability to follow it demonstrates our lack of holiness on our own.

A sacrificial system is set in motion for the forgiveness of sins and giving thanks to God. Leviticus lays out a sort of priest handbook for oversight of the temple – God’s dwelling place – and sacrifices.

The Day of Atonement is also established. One day a year the high priest is to wash, wear special garments, and seek forgiveness of sins for himself and the Israelites for a year. 

Much is required to approach a holy God. It is not to be taken lightly. The priest is to bring two young goats and a bull. At God’s direction, on goat will be sacrificed with the bull and one set free. The blood from the sacrificed goat and bull is sprinkled on God’s mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant (which contains the law). The priest then puts his hands on the other goat and confesses the sins of the nation, transferring them onto the goat. The goat is brought deep into the wilderness and released with the sins of the people.

¹⁵Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, sprinkling it over the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. ¹⁶ Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleannesses of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions, all their sins. And so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which dwells with them in the midst of their uncleannesses. Leviticus 16:15-16

²¹ And Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the people of Israel, and all their transgressions, all their sins. And he shall put them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is in readiness.²² The goat shall bear all their iniquities on itself to a remote area, and he shall let the goat go free in the wilderness. Leviticus 16:21-11

Two goats – payment for sin and removal of sin. Bloodshed and freedom.

With the crucifixion, I see you, Jesus, as both high priest and sacrifice, freeing us from our sins one time for all time.

¹¹ And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. ¹² But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,¹³ waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. ¹⁴ For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:11-14

Only a perfect and holy sacrifice can wash away our sins for good. You are the great high priest. The perfect lamb that was slain to end the endless cycle of sacrifice and temporary cleanliness.