Piczo

Log in!
Stay Signed In
Do you want to access your site more quickly on this computer? Check this box, and your username and password will be remembered for two weeks. Click logout to turn this off.

Stay Safe
Do not check this box if you are using a public computer. You don't want anyone seeing your personal info or messing with your site.
Ok, I got it
Next Page >>
<< Back Page
<< Back To Home Page
<< садржај >> главнa страницa
The Lamb of God
Back to Home Page
KJVJeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Chorus
Now behold the Lamb
the Precious Lamb of God
born into sin that I may live again
the Precious Lamb of God (2x)

Holy is the Lamb
the Precious Lamb of God
Why You love me so, Lord
I shall never know
the Precious lamb of God (2X)


Solo1
Now behold the Lamb
the Precious Lamb of God
Born into sin that I may live again
He's the precious Lamb of God

When I always didn't do right
I went left, He told me to go right
But I'm standing right here
in the midst of my tears, Lord
I claim You to be the Lamb of God

chorus
Thank You for the Lamb
the Precious Lamb of God
Because of Your grace
I can finish this race
the Precious Lamb of God

solo2
Even when I broke Your heart
my sins tore us apart
But I'm standing right here
in the midst of my tears
I claim You to be the Lamb of God

New life can begin (yeah),
for You washed away, washed away every one of my sins
Whom the Son sets free, is truly free indeed
claim You to be the Lamb of God

chorus
Now behold the Lamb
the Precious Lamb of God
born into sin that I may live again
the Precious Lamb of God

Oh Oh Oh
Oh Oh Oh

Why You love me so, Lord
I shall never know
Why You love me so, Lord
I shall never know
Why You love me so, Lord
I shall never know
the Precious Lamb of God

Oh Oh Oh
Oh Oh Oh
Oh Oh Oh

Why You love me so, Lord
I shall never know
the Precious Lamb of God

uh....
uh....oh....
You love me, Jesus
You died for me, Jesus
You shed your blood for me, Jesus On Calvary.


Thank you for Being Born For Me, Jesus
Thank you Jesus
For lovin' me so
Never never never know
For lovin' me so yeah.
Thank you for your blood yeah...
Why you love me so, Lord
I shall never know
the Precious Lamb of God
John 1:29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 1:36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
1Peter 1:19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Revelation 5:2And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
Revelation 5:9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Revelation 5:12Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Jesus is called the Lamb 28 times in Revelation Lamb of God: (John 1:29,36).
* In Christian theology, Agnus Dei (Latin = Lamb of God) refers to Jesus Christ in his role of sacrificial offering to atone for the sins of man (after John 1:29).
God Himself became the Man Jesus to pay for our sins... But you know that Jesus appeared so that he might take away our sins (1Jn.3:5)...the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1Jn.1:7). "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" of John 1:29,36.
Behold the Lamb of God in KJV Bible
29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away [4] the sin of the world. 30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. 32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. 35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
Home Page
                            Symbolic look at Pesach (Passover)

Many people read the Tanakh (Old Covenant) and do not read the B'rit Hadashah (New Covenant). Conversely, there are a large number of people who read the B'rit Hadashah and neglect to read the Tanakh. In order to properly understand G-d's holy scriptures we must read and study both the Tanakh and the B'rit Hadashah.

The story of the Pesach is recorded in Exodus chapter twelve. Pesach lasts for eight days. Each year, on the first full moon of spring, the Jewish people faithfully commemorate how G-d delivered their ancestors from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. The tenth plague to befall the Egyptians was the plague upon the first-born. The Israelites were instructed to slaughter an unblemished male lamb and apply the blood of the lamb to the two sides and top of the doorframe at the entrance of the house. In this way the angel of death would see the blood and pass over the house. The Pesach Seder is full of symbolism. It not only commemorates the Exodus story, it is a beautiful foreshadowing of Yeshua's sacrificial death.

Leviticus 23:5-8 In the fourteenth day of the first month at evening is the L-RD's pesach. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the L-RD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. In the first day ye shall have a holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the L-RD seven days: in the seventh day is a holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. (KJV)

To prepare for Pesach, the home is thoroughly cleaned and all leaven (yeast) is removed from the home.

The Bedikat Chametz (Search for Leaven) is conducted on the evening before Pesach, the leaven that is found is burned the following morning. This is known as Blur Chametz (Burning of the leaven) and must be done by 10AM the day before Pesach. Leaven represents sin in the Bible. Removing the yeast from the home symbolizes searching our hearts and separating ourselves from sin.

The day before the Pesach all first-born males are obligated to fast to commemorate the miracle of their salvation from the plague of death of the first-born.

The Pesach Seder(Order) begins when the mother lights the candles on the dinner table and says the blessing. This is symbolic of the woman, Miryam (Mary), bringing us the light of the world, Yeshua (Jesus).

John 8:12 Then spake Yeshua again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (KJV)

The father leads the family in the Pesach Seder. One of the first things he does it to place three pieces of Matzah (unleavened bread) into the Matzah Tash (Matzah Pocket), this linen bag has three pockets one for each piece of Matzah. This represents the trinity. The first piece of matzah represents the Father, the second the Son, and the third the Holy Spirit.

Kaddesh: Sanctification ­ First Cup of Wine

Blessing is said over the wine, half the cup is drunk.

Urechatz: Washing

Washing Hands

Karpas: Vegetable (See Seder plate below)

Parsley dipped in salt water and eaten.

Yachatz: Breaking

Second Matzah is broken. Half is placed rapped in white linen and hidden. The other half is placed back in the 'Matzah Tash'. This represents the second person of the trinity, Yeshua, dying for our sins. His body was wrapped in white linen and hidden away in the tomb for three days. Yeshua confirmed this when he commemorated the Pesach Seder the night he was betrayed.

1 Cor 11:23-24

That the L-rd Yeshua the same night in which he was betrayed took bread (matzah): And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. (KJV)

If you take a minute and look carefully at the Matzah, (You may want to hold it up to the lit candle) notice that it is pierced and also it has stripes running across its surface. This reminds us of Isaiah 53:5-6 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the L-RD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (KJV)

Zech 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. (KJV)

John 19:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. (KJV)

Maddid: The Story

The youngest member of the family asks four questions. Why do we eat only matzoh on Pesach? Why do we eat bitter herbs, maror, at our Seder? Why do we dip our foods twice tonight and, Why do we lean on a pillow tonight?

The Story of the Exodus is told.

Deliverance: Second Cup of Wine (aka. Cup of Deliverance or the cup of Plagues)

One drop of wine is dropped on the plate for each of the plagues of Egypt.

Half of the cup is drunk after a blessing is said.

Rachtzah: Washing

Second Hand Washing

Motzi: Blessing over Grain Products

A generic blessing is said for bread and other grain products

A piece of the first and third Matzah are eaten.

Matzah: Blessing over Matzah

A specific blessing is said for the Matzah.

Blessed O L-rd our G-d King of the universe who bringeth forth bread from the earth.

The Matzah is symbolic of the manna the Israelites ate in the wilderness. It also symbolizes Yeshua.

John 6:35 And Yeshua said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (KJV)

Yeshua was born in Bethlehem, which means House of Bread and He was buried on the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Maror: Bitter Herbs (Usually Horseradish) (See Seder plate below)

Blessing over the bitter herbs.

Korech: The Sandwich (See Seder plate below)

The Charoset is eaten on a small piece of Matzah from the third Matzah.

Shulchan Orech: Dinner

The evening meal is now eaten.

Tzafun: The Afikomen

The children are sent to find the Afikomen. This represents the resurrection of Yeshua. Afikomen means "He came". The child who finds it is promised a gift, but the gift is not given to them until the 'Feast of Pentecost (50 days later). The promised gift symbolizes the comforter (Holy Spirit) who Yeshua promised to send to them. This was fulfilled on the Feast of Pentecost.

Barech: Grace after meal

Redemption: Third Cup of Wine

Third cup of wine is poured, the blessing is said "Blessed O L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe who bringeth forth the fruit of the vine."

Half of the cup of wine is drunk.

Release: Fourth Cup of wine Known as the Cup of Release or the Cup of Praise.

Half of the cup of wine is drunk.

This cup symbolizes our release from the bondage of sin through the shed blood of Yeshua. It is the cup of praise because we shall praise him eternally for what he has done for us.

A fifth cup of wine is poured for Elijah

In Jewish tradition this special cup is placed in the center of the table and not filled until the conclusion of the meal ­ anticipating, when the door is opened, the coming of Elijah to announce the coming of Messiah. By Yeshua picking up Elijah's cup, blessing it and giving it to his disciples, saying, "Drink ye all of it, for this is My blood of the New Covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins," He affirmed his identity as the Messiah and at that moment established the Kingdom of G-d. As we partake of the cup we, too, bear testimony to precious faith in Him.

Hallel: Praises

Several psalms are sung. Yeshua and his disciples sang at the end of their Pesach dinner. Mark 14:26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. (KJV)

Nirtzah: Closing

The Seder plate contains five foods.

1. Charoset: A mixture of apple, nuts, cinnamon and wine. The Charoset symbolizes the mortar used by the Israelites when they were in slavery. Every child of Adam is born by nature into the bondage to self and sin from which he, too, must be redeemed. The sweetness symbolizes the blessed hope we have that someday we will to will cross over the Jordan to our heavenly home.

2. Karpas (Parsley dipped in salt water) The parsley represents Israel in the spring of her nationhood going into the Red sea. It also symbolizes that just as greens come to life in the spring, there is everlasting hope of redemption. The saltwater stands for the tears shed by all, Jew and Gentile alike, when we're in the lost state. " Gal 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time was come, G-d sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (KJV) When Yeshua came that was the springtime of hope for the lost world. Dipping the parsley also symbolizes the baptism of the believer.

3. Roasted egg: It symbolizes the grave. We are reminded that the Divine sentence has been placed on mankind in the decree, Ezek 18:20 "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (KJV) Unless G-d intervenes there is no hope for the human race. For the believer in Yeshua that hope is resurrection and eternal life.

4. Z'roa: The roasted Shank bone is found on the Pesach plate. It is symbolic of the offering of the lamb that was slain for the sins of Israel. John 1:29 The next day John seeth Yeshua coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of G-d, which taketh away the sin of the world. (KJV) Thus, the Shank bone of the lamb on every Jewish Passover table speaks symbolically of Yeshua, crucified as our substitute. " 1 Cor 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Messiah our Passover is sacrificed for us: (KJV)

5. Maror (Bitter herbs) This symbolizes the bitterness of Israel's slavery in Egypt. It also represents the sorrow and ruin experienced by mankind as he serves the evil one.

There are four cups of wine at the dinner. The wine symbolizes the shed blood of the innocent lamb given in place of the first-born of Israel in Egypt. It also symbolizes the blood Yeshua shed for our sins. He himself confirmed this in Matt 26:27-29 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. (KJV)

It is no coincidence that Yeshua was crucified on Pesach. Yeshua was born in the town of Bethlehem where the shepherds raised the sacrificial lambs for use in G-d's Holy Temple. He was the first-born son, he was perfect and sinless and was the only one who was able to keep the whole law. Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (KJV)

From the time of Adam and Eve's first sin a blood sacrifice had to be made to atone for sin. We know this because G-d clothed them in animal skins. There had to be bloodshed in order to have animal skins.

No other sacrifice is acceptable to G-d. It must be a blood sacrifice.

Gen 4:3-5 "And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the L-RD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the L-RD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. (KJV)

Leviticus 17:11. For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. (KJV)

Rom 5:8-12 But G-d commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Messiah died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to G-d by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in G-d through our L-rd Yeshua Ha Mashiah, by whom we have now received the atonement. (KJV)

Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (KJV)

Heb 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. (KJV)

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Yeshua

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Yeshua

O precious is the flow.

That makes me white as snow

No other fount I know

Nothing but the blood of Yeshua

You can do this right now by praying to G-d and acknowledging that you are a sinner, believing that Yeshua's death on the cross was the atonement for your sins. Confess your sins to G-d and ask Him to forgive you of your sins and come into your heart and life.
What it means to call Jesus "the Lamb of God."
John the Baptist's Prophetic Insight
John the Baptist is preaching a message of repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sin. Thousands have come to him as he is baptizing along the Jordan River. One day, John speaks about the Messiah, for whom he has been sent to prepare. Now our theme verse:

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'" (John 1:29)

John repeats this saying a little later (John 1:36). The context of these verses doesn't tell us a great deal about what John the Baptist actually meant when he said this. So let's examine the words themselves.

"Behold" (KJV) is the Greek particle ide, which can be taken two ways. (1) to point out something to which the speaker wishes to draw attention. "look! see!" and (2) to indicate a place or individual, "here is (are)".1 So the NRSV translates John 1:29, "Here is the Lamb of God..." John draws attention to Jesus and indicates that Jesus is the focus of his words which follow. Let's look at these words one by one.

"Lamb," the Greek noun amnos, refers to a young sheep, including at least up to one year old.2 In the Book of Revelation the noun arnion is used to designate a sheep of any age.3

"Of God" can mean either "sent from God" or perhaps "owned by God." John says that Jesus is in some way like a lamb sent from or provided by God himself.

"Sin" is the common Greek noun harmartia. Originally it meant "to miss the mark, be mistaken." In the New Testament it occurs 173 times as a comprehensive expression of everything opposed to God.4 Sin and forgiveness of sin are major themes of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. Our modern society really doesn't like the concept of sin at all -- though dealing with guilt is a major psychological problem that plagues people of all religions and no religion. If we are intent to understand what "Lamb of God" really means, we must be willing to discuss the forbidden "S" word -- "sin."

"Of the world" employs the Greek noun kosmos, which refers here to "humanity in general."5 Jesus doesn't come to deal with just a single person, or the sin of just the Jewish people for that year, but for the sins of everyone in the whole world for all time.

"Take away" describes what the Lamb will do with sin, employing the Greek verb airō, which means generally "to lift up and move from one place to another." Here it means "to take away, remove, blot out."6

"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world."
What specific lamb is John the Baptist referring to? It could be the Passover Lamb or the lamb described in Isaiah 53, or perhaps he is using it in a general sense.7 The context doesn't help us pinpoint it further. But clearly, John indicates that Jesus is the Lamb of God in some sacrificial sense, since lambs were commonly used by the Jews for sacrifices to obtain forgiveness for sin. Our next step is to try to understand animal sacrifice

Q1. How do you know that John the Baptist's statement about the Lamb of God refers to sacrifice? (John 1:29). How was the comprehensiveness of "sins of the world" so radical a concept?

The key words I see is "Lamb and "takes away"- a lamb was in the OT used as a sacrifice, and the blood made atonement, Lamb of God- (Jesus) who takes away-(makes atonement for us).

How was the comprehensiveness of "sins of the world" so radiacal a concept?
Bare with me on the second part of the question don't know if I am understanding what is meant. The sins of the world meant everyone not just a certain sect. Sin separates us from God, without the blood of the Lamb we could not get close to God, in the OT the blood of animal sacrifices were shed but could not take sin away, through Jesus, "sins of the world" were taken away, this made it complete.

Isaiah prophesied in 53:7 that the Messiah would be led to the slaughter like a lamb. A life was required to pay the penatlty for sin. The sins of the world were removed when Jesus laid down His life. Jesus gave His life for all the world which includes a vast number of people and even more sins. In order to receive the benefits of this sacrifice a sinner must confess their sins and accept Jesus as the sacrifice for them.

How do you know that John the baptist's statement about the Lamb of God refers to sacrafice? John was raised a jew, his father was a priest. He knew the traditions and rituals of his day. He also had lived in the wilderness......alone with God and he knew what his purpose in life was...to prepare the way of the Lord. John knew who Christ was when he saw him by divine understanding. #2 Before Christ, every sin required some kind of sacrafice.....confession, giving up something valuable, seeing that sin has awful consiquences....transfering of guilt to the lamb. When Christ died on the cross, he took all the sins of the world upon himself. Not just for that day but all the sins of all ages. Oh, what a saviour.

Ancient Animal Sacrifice
Nearly every culture throughout the world has employed sacrifice, usually animal sacrifice, to somehow appease the anger of the gods. Many moderns have dismissed this sort of appeasement as a primitive and ignorant gesture. They are offended by the idea that blood must be shed to make atonement and have searched for other theories of the atonement that provide simpler explanations. However, to be faithful to Scripture, we can't disregard sacrifice so cavalierly. (See the Appendices for my essay "Classic Protestant Liberalism and the Atonement: A Plea for Reconsideration," "Theories of the Atonement," and a brief quote from C.S. Lewis on "Boys Philosophies")

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob sacrificed to God as part of their worship. We don't have any indication that they were trying to "appease an angry God." That explanation is a straw man that applies better to pagan sacrifice than Jewish sacrifice. At Mt. Sinai, God gave Moses explicit instructions to build an altar of burnt offering in the tabernacle (Exodus 27), as well as rather complex instructions concerning types of sacrifices appropriate for various kinds of offences (Leviticus 1-7).

Holiness, Anger, and Justice
Yet anger must be part of our understanding. We live in a society that seeks to pull God down to its own level. But a careful reading of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy make it quite clear that God is to be considered holy and righteous, separate from humans and human sinfulness. Human sin, breaking of God's laws, is deeply offensive to God. Unless their sins are cleansed, humans may not even approach his holy presence.

God is angry -- not at humans for their own sake -- but at their sin. Anger at sin shouldn't surprise us. If your spouse lies to you, shouldn't you be angry? Sad, yes, but angry, too. If your spouse is unfaithful to you, shouldn't you be angry? Or should you be passive in the face of immorality and deceit? Moral people are outraged at sin; immoral people are calloused with regard to sin.

It's one thing to be angry, but anger must not lead to injustice. The God of the Old Testament cannot be accurately described as capricious, acting merely out of anger. Nor, for that matter, is he perpetually angry. He is described as:

"The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished." (Exodus 34:6-7)

Q2. Why is anger an appropriate response to sin? What is the difference between capricious or uncontrolled anger and anger that brings about justice?

A.Anger is a response to sin because sin offends God....sin offends most PEOPLE as well, therefore making them angry. If we harm someone in a relationship whether it be family or friendship, they feel betrayed which in turn causes sorrow and anger.
Controlled anger can be compared to a legal judge sitting on a bench. The one standing before him/her may have consequences to pay, but that does not mean the judge loses his/her temper at them, they just sadly enforce the consequences. Sin angers God, he is not angry with the person themselves.Anger leads to doing things wrong or sin
Our Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfullness and loves all no matter what, he forgives our sins when we turn to him, he doesn't let the quilty go unpunished. When we ask him for forgiveness and help to change the way we are he answers, because he loves us and wants us to be the best we can be.

God provides animal sacrifice as a way that justice can be done, that men and women's sins can be atoned for, and that they can approach God once more.

The Repulsiveness of Animal Sacrifice
We moderns are often repulsed by the very idea of killing an animal. The Israelites were herdsmen. Our forebears were farmers. But we city folk don't routinely butcher animals, drain out their blood, and cut them up. The closest we come is cold meat in a Styrofoam tray or butcher's wrap from the supermarket. We eat meat, for the most part, but we are insulated from the killing that is required.

Nevertheless, taking of any life should affect us as it affected the Israelites. The Israelites were very well aware that blood required taking of life.

Atonement
And taking life, even to eat, is never a trivial thing. God tells Moses:

"For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life." (Leviticus 17:11)

The word translated "atonement" here is the Hebrew verb kāpar, kipper, "to make an atonement, make reconciliation, purge." An equivalent Arabic root means "cover" or "conceal," but evidence that the Hebrew root means "to cover over sin" is weak. Rather, the root idea of kipper seems to be "to purge," related to an Akkadian cognate kuppuru meaning "to wipe clean."8 Our English word "atonement" comes from the Middle English "at-one-ment" or "reconciliation," which expresses the result of an atoning sacrifice. To sum up, "atonement" in Hebrew seems to mean "to wipe clean, purge," a sacrifice that cleanses from sin.

Basic Elements of Sacrifice for Sin
There were five types of sacrifices in the tabernacle (and later in the temple) -- burnt offering, grain offering, peace or fellowship offering, sin (purification) offering, and guilt (reparation) offering. To comprehend the basics of sacrifice, let's look carefully at a sacrifice for purification from sin by a common person which displays the typical elements. Here a female goat or lamb (Hebrew kebeś, keśeb9) is referred to:

"When anyone is guilty in any of these ways, he must confess in what way he has sinned and, as a penalty for the sin he has committed, he must bring to the LORD a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement (kāpar) for him for his sin." (Leviticus 5:5-6)
"If he brings a lamb as his sin offering, he is to bring a female without defect. He is to lay his hand on its head and slaughter it for a sin offering at the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered. Then the priest shall take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering and pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. He shall remove all the fat, just as the fat is removed from the lamb of the fellowship offering, and the priest shall burn it on the altar on top of the offerings made to the LORD by fire. In this way the priest will make atonement (kāpar) for him for the sin he has committed, and he will be forgiven." (Leviticus 4:32-35)

Here are some of the key elements of sacrifice as they appear by the time the Mosaic Law is given -- simplified a bit:

Confession of the sin (5:5)
Bringing an animal that has no defect that might decrease its market value (4:32). It must be healthy and whole or it is not fit to offer to God. An animal like this could be rather costly, though a poor person might bring a pair of pigeons or doves instead.
Lay his hands on its head (4:33a). There seems to be a sense in which the offerer's sin is imparted to the animal through the laying on of hands (see Leviticus 16:21).
Slay the animal by cutting its throat (4:33b).
Blood is collected by a priest, put on the horns of the altar, and poured out at the base of the altar (4:34)
Remove the fat portions, which are given to the priest and burned on the altar (4:35). (In the case of burnt offerings, the entire animal would be burned on the altar.)
The meat is eaten by the priests in the case of a sin offering (6:24-29). (In case of a peace or fellowship offering, most of the meat would be eaten by the offerer and his family as a kind of sacred meal.)
From this analysis of a sacrifice for sin I see several principles:

Confession or acknowledgement of sin is a necessary part of the sacrifice.
A sacrificial animal is costly to the sinner. Nothing free here.
There is a close identification between the sinner and the sacrifice. The imparting of sin by the laying on of hands suggests that the animal becomes a substitute for the sinner.
Killing the animal is very personal. It is not done for the sinner by a third party but by the sinner himself...




All of the passages in Leviticus 1-7 discuss attonement for individual sin and the different types of sacrifice offerings that were in place for the tabernacle. There is no mention of the attonement for sin for the nation of Israel in these passages. This was only taken care of at Passover (Ex 12:1-27, Lev 23:4-8) and the qualifications for the sacrifice are different that what is spelled out in these verses and in the exposition. For example, for the sin offering you could sacrifice a female animal, but for the Passover sacrifice it had to be a male of the first year without blemish. There are so many different sacrifices spelled out in the Old Testament that it is hard to keep track of them all. There had to be some commonality to all of them.

So the basic elements involved in a sin sacrifice are: 1. Confession - The person who committed the sin must fess up and accept the consequences for his actions. 2. Penalty - payment for sin requires a life to be taken and the life of a creature is in the blood (Lv 17:11). 3. Sacrifice - The sacrifice offered must be the first, the best, and of yourself. If the penalty is stiff you will remember it before you do it the next time, also if it isn't personally tied to you it doesn't mean that much to you. 4. Transferance - payment for sin requires transfering your sin through the symbolic act of laying on of hands to the sinless animal who gets the death you deserved.

Q4. What are the basic elements involved in a sacrifice for sin? (Leviticus 4:32-35; 5:5-6) Which of these are still necessary for forgiveness of sins today? Which are no longer necessary? Why?



A.All of the elements of the sacrifice are still in place today, they just take a much different form. 1. We still must confess our sins (Rom 10:9-13). 2. The penalty for sin is still death (Rom 6:23). 3. The sacrifice was Jesus Christ, and we all must daily present our bodies as a living sacrifice to Him and our relationship with Him makes it personal (Heb 10:10, Rom 12:1). 4. We transfered our sin to Jesus Christ and he got the death at the cross that we deserved, we need to lay our hands on Him and accept His payment for that sin by faith (Jn 6:53, Heb 10:14-23, 1 Jn 1:7)...Time and again God called the people of Israel to offer a lamb or a goat as a sacrifice for their sins. When I look at the history of the Israelites through the eyes of the Old Testament writings I am reminded so much of my own walk with God since first I met Him some 40 years ago. The cycle has been very similar. Deep in sin and brought low; repentance followed by restoration. The basics involved bringing a sacrifice for the High Priest to slaughter and pour out the blood upon the altar for God. Today we can thank and praise our heavenly father God that the ultimate sacrifice has been paid for in full through the giving of His son’s life on the cross at Calvary. Jesus is now our high priest as the writer of Hebrews 9:11-15 explains. We can go directly through Him to our Father God.
However, just as the sacrificing of the Passover lamb and the tabernacle rituals were a mirror of what was to come, so to were some of the main ordinances. These were, that the people had to firstly Confess their sins to the high Priest (Leviticus 5:5-6) And it is still the same today. Before we can make any headway with God we must confess our sins to Him, who is just and able to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.(1 John 1:9) In obedience to this command we are assured that the Priest (Jesus) will make atonement for our sin and forgive us. Hallelujah! (Lev 4:35) (Romans 3:25) Just a quick note that might help some if it hasn’t already been mentioned. The word ‘Atonement’ breaks neatly into three syllables ‘At – One – Ment’. As our Atonement, Jesus made it possible for us to be ‘At One’ with God, just as God intended or, ‘Ment’ us to be. So, all that is required from us today is (1) Confession (2) Repentance (3) Sacrifice The latter being that of our own lives for He who paid the highest possible price to redeem us.
Forgiveness and Grace of God

In spite of this elaborate sacrificial system, the Hebrews became aware that all these sacrifices alone were inadequate to really cleanse their sins. God did not "owe" them forgiveness because they went through some ritual. Nor was God impressed or gratified by all this killing of animals. (See Hebrews 10:8; 9:9, 13; Psalm 50:8-12; 51:16; Isaiah 1:11-15; 66:3; Jeremiah 6:20; 7:21-22; Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:21-22; Micah 6:6-8; Mark 12:33.)

In fact, the author of Hebrews rightly declares, "it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins" (Hebrews 10:4), for the "lesser" animal cannot really substitute for the "greater" human being. Man needs someone greater than himself to actually atone for and do away with sin.

There is a real sense in which God uses the sacrificial system to teach the Jews lessons about sin, holiness, confession, forgiveness, sin's costliness, and sin's horror. God, in his mercy, allows these sacrifices to purge their sins, but the only fully adequate sacrifice for sin is still to come.

Behold, the Lamb of God

That is the context from which John the Baptist speaks when he says, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Jesus is greater than our analogies, of course. But there is a sense in which the analogy of the sacrificial Lamb fits Jesus accurately, since he, as Son of God and Son of Man is the only One perfect and great enough to actually atone for sin and, at the same time, represent and substitute for all men in this atonement -- once and for all.

Look! This is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Prayer
Father, I'm aware again of how horrible all that killing and blood must be. It forces me to think about the horror of my own sin and rebellion against you -- and the horror of sacrifice that my sins require so that I might be cleansed and stand before you forgiven. I've passed over sin, made it something trivial when it is not. Forgive me, Lord, for my sins. In the name of the Lamb of God, Jesus my Lord, I pray. Amen.

Q6. What do you think God intended animal sacrifice teach us about sin? About holiness? About God's nature?

A.God wants us to realize that sin must be attoned for. He cannot wink at blatant, wanton sin and be a just God. He demands our obedience. He has a right to demand this. Sin is evil. God's nature is love--He made a way for our redemption through Jesus sacrifice. He is holy and cannot have evil around Him, but in His love for us, He provided a way for our sin to be forgiven,through Jesus' being our perfect sacrificial lamb! This is the love of God in action to save us from an eternity of torment being cast out from His presence.

Micah 6:6-8 "With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

The ultimate goal in all of this is a relationship with God. God created us to be in fellowship with Him. As Christians we need to be men and women that are led by the Spirit and that are able to hear the Lord's voice and be in constant communion / fellowship with Him. We are made to walk in the garden with Him as Adam and Eve did before the fall. Sin is the action that breaks up that relationship and ultimately separates us from God.

Hebrews 10:1-4 shows us that the sacrifical system was set up in the pre-Christ days to remind the people of their sins and to point them forward to the coming Messiah. For us today we have the Holy Spirit as our guide who helps convict us of our sin and remind us that we have both a risen saviour and a second-coming Messiah. Christ was our once for all perfect Passover lamb sacrifice.

Leviticus 19:2b "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy."

God's nature is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is Holy, Righteous, and Love. He hates sin, but He loves the sinner in that He sent His only son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for us. We need to accept that sacrifice for our sins, because God already has accepted it as payment in full. We need to trust in Faith that God's nature is to fellowship with us as full sons / daughters and that the Grace provided by Jesus Christ's sacrifice is sufficient for us to enter into His kingdom both now and when we get to heaven.

In Christ,
                  Watch the Lamb
A music shortmovie about the sacrifice of Jesus