THE SACRIFICE
Leviticus 16

Unlocking the Mystery Series
October 4, 2009
Pastor Nathan J. Thompson

Stories we often like to hear are ones about people who sacrificed themselves in helping someone else.  From a person who donates a kidney to someone in need, to a soldier who puts their own life in danger to save a friend, to a person who gives up a precious possession and gives to another, these true stories encourage and fill us with hope.

These days when so many stories and reports lift up the often pervasive selfishness, anger and lack of civility among people, it is always refreshing to hear stores of self-sacrifice and care for others.  Sacrificial living is a great example for us all.

In the Bible, one important theme that helps unlock the mysteries is the whole concept of sacrifice.  It was very important for God’s chosen people, the People of Israel, in their life of worship and faith.

Sacrifice is also important in the example and truths of Jesus, and in our call as Christians to follow Jesus and live for Him.  So, now I will focus on this history and message, and again how the Old Testament and New Testament are woven together in one story.

In the Old Testament, Leviticus 16, the Day of Atonement (aka Yom Kippur) is carried out like five acts in a play.  God said that once a year the high priest would meet Him in the “Most Holy Place”—that front area in the Tabernacle that is screened off from the congregation.

You may remember that in this Tabernacle, this Jewish worship space, the Ark of the Covenant was kept in this “Most Holy Place.”  Inside the Ark were the Ten Commandments, Moses’ staff and some manna/quail.  On top of the Ark were two golden angels representing the angels that guarded the Garden of Eden.  The space between them was called the “Mercy Seat.”

In Act One of this Day of Atonement the High Priest, who was usually decked out in magnificent robes, would rather appear in the streets among the people in a simple white cloth.  The people would then line up behind him and follow like in a parade.

The Second Act was where the High Priest made preparation.  The first thing the priest needed to do before he could meet God in that holy place was to take care of his own sins.  So, the priest took a slaughtered bull into this Most Holy Place and sprinkled the blood on the Mercy Seat.

The Third Act was where the atonement was made.  Two goats were brought forward and one was slaughtered.  The High Priest took the blood of this goat behind the curtain and sprinkled it on the Mercy Seat—this was between the two angels who represent God’s judgment.

It was believed that justice, judgment and mercy were released when this sacrifice was made.  Just like when God diverted the curse away from Adam onto the ground, God let the death sentence be passed onto this animal instead of the sinners—the people.

Act Four was when sin was confessed.  This, in many ways, was the most dramatic and symbolic part of this whole day.  The live goat was brought forward.  The priest had to confess all the sins of Israel while keeping hold of a live goat’s head.

Specific sins were identified by the priest—the people would have identified some of their own personal sins.  A transfer then took place where the guilt of these sins was removed from the people and put on the goat.  At the end of the prayer there is one very guilty goat.

And in Act Five the guilt is removed.  The goat was led away into the horizon and sent into the wilderness—where many believed evil lived.  As the people saw this “scapegoat” go they saw relief, comfort and felt they had been set free.  This was their yearly atonement ritual.

Now fast forward some 1,500 years—a new five act play.  Act One is that Jesus Christ, the new high priest, the very son of God appears.  His glory is greater than any robes or fanfare.  He took the form of a humble servant and was born poor in a lowly manger.

Act Two shows Christ’s preparation in that He did what no priest or person could do—He lived a perfect life.  Jesus’ perfect life qualified Him to do what no priest could do.  His preparation was preaching to and inviting people to follow and believe in Him.

Act Three is centered in Christ’s atonement.  After only three years of ministry, at the young age of about 33, Jesus was arrested and sentenced to death.  And on the cross Jesus became the sacrifice Himself for our sins.

In His death on the cross the judgment of God was diverted from us and onto Jesus.  When Jesus’ blood was shed, God’s judgment was satisfied and His mercy was given.  Another way to think of the word atonement—At-one-ment—made one or right with God.

Act Four in this drama is where we are to confess our sins.  This is your part in the story.  Just as the priest held the goat’s head and confessed, we are called to grab hold of Jesus by faith, to trust in His love, and to confess our sins to Him.

Jesus’ sacrifice was big enough to satisfy the sins of the entire world.  But until you come to Him in faith, until you say “yes” to Him, His sacrifice does you no good.  When you confess your sins and believe in Jesus, God sees your sins transferred to Jesus—He died for you.

Finally, Act Five proclaims that our sins are removed.  When our sins are transferred to Jesus they are taken away from us—as far as the East is from the West—says Psalm 103:12.  Because of what Jesus did for you, you are forgiven and your guilt is gone.  In contrast to having a Day of Atonement once a year, these promises of Jesus are to be renewed daily.

So, as you can see, my friends, these Biblical stories of sacrifice closely mirror each other.  God established the Day of Atonement as a way to help his people understand the importance of repentance, forgiveness and of being set free.  It was a visual drama they could see, participate in and experience.

When God sent His only Son Jesus, the promised Messiah, Jesus again is the fulfillment of this drama.  Jesus fulfills this sacrifice Himself by becoming that sacrificial goat.  Jesus takes all our sins upon Himself, sheds His blood on the cross and rises again on Easter.  In Jesus Christ we are set free and given new life.

It is interesting to ponder how we, today, may relate to these forms of sacrifice and how we may understand Jesus’ assurance of forgiveness.  I sometimes wonder if we don’t prefer the old system of casting sins upon that goat—that scapegoat.

We live in a time when many people don’t seem to think they have many sins, or that they do very much wrong.  In fact, a popular defense from some people is that whatever bad things they do are always someone else’s fault—they caused this behavior so it is justified.

It is not their fault that they broke their marriage vows—it’s all their spouse’s fault.  It is not their fault that they told that lie, or hurt that other person—they are justified because the other person is mean.  It’s not their fault they messed up—they just don’t like the rules or system.

These days the recent news discussions have been filled with how we should live respectfully together, and how shouting hurtful messages at town hall meetings, or calling others liars and cheats, or getting all riled up when people don’t hear or understand the whole issue—these are all signs of how anxious and crazy our society is becoming.

For when we blame others for our bad behaviors, or when we try to justify our actions because we simply let our emotions get the best of us, we have completely lost our understanding of Jesus and His example of sacrifice.  We have completely lost the Gospel message.

Jesus says to us today that we are to no longer blame things on a scapegoat; we should no longer be in denial about who we really are.  Rather, Jesus calls us to come just as we are, to be honest about our sins and failures, to take ownership of our problems and issues.

Jesus calls us to give our sins, our wrongs, our failures to Him.  Lay these on Him and at His cross; He sacrificed His whole life to get rid of these sins and failings.  As we repent and give these sins to Jesus He washes us clean, forgives us and sets us completely free.

As Jesus sets us free by His sacrifice He then calls us, you and me, to live a life of love and sacrifice for others.  He calls us to take up our cross and follow Him, to humble ourselves and be a servant, to sacrifice our lives and gifts for the sake of others.

So how about your life today, my friend?  Are you still blaming a scapegoat, or have you cast your sins and struggles on Jesus?  May each one of us remember these important words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:1:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is true worship.”
—Romans 12:1