Sacrifices: Symbols of Jesus's Atoning Sacrifice

The sacrifices—burnt, grain, peace, sin, and trespass offerings—that were part of the Mosaic law code were ordered as symbols of Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice. The sacrifices focused on animals—sheep, goats, birds, bulls, and so forth—and the shedding of their blood. If the offerer’s economic status did not permit the sacrifice of an animal, flour or grain served as acceptable substitutes.

Some offerings were voluntary, while others were mandatory; some dealt with the unintentional transgressions of the children of Israel, and others atoned for their willful or deliberate sins.

Biblical scholar Andrew Jukes wrote that in every sacrificial “offering there are at least three distinct objects presented. . . . There is the offering, the priest, the offerer.  By offering is meant the sacrificial victim, such as the lamb, the pigeon, the fowl, the bull, the ram, and so on. By priest is meant the temple officiant who performs the sacrifice. By offerer is meant the man or family of Israel who presents the offering to the priest. . . . What, then is the offering? what the priest? what the offerer? Christ is the offering, Christ is the priest, Christ is the offerer. . . . As offerer, we see Him man under the law, standing our substitute, for us to fulfil all righteousness. As priest, we have Him presented as the mediator, God’s messenger between Himself and Israel. While in the offering He is seen the innocent victim, a sweet savour to God, yet bearing the sin and dying for it.”[1]