The book of Leviticus is filled with types, pictures, and symbols of the Lord Jesus Christ. As recorded in the book of Hebrews, the law itself is but “a shadow of the good things to come”. Paul the apostle exhorted the saints at Colosse regarding this same truth: “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” A shadow is not the real thing, and likewise in the case of the various Levitical regulations, rituals, and offerings. The offerings especially pictured a Biblical truth, but they were only signposts pointing to the ultimate, final Sacrifice.

In Leviticus 8:14-15 we find that the blood of the sin offering was applied to the altar for three purposes. It purified the altar, sanctified (or consecrated) it, and made atonement for it, thus enabling it to be a place for reconciliation to take place. We know that Jesus is the final sin offering. His blood was the only payment possible for sin. Because of His blood, all that turn to Him for forgiveness purify their hearts by faith. This pureness of heart is the conduit through which the love of God is now shed abroad.

Believing that Jesus was made sin for me in order to reconcile me to God, and that He bore the awful curse of my inability to keep the law of God, enables me to walk in newness of life. Jesus is my sanctification, my everything! As I behold Him as my sin offering, I’m both humbled and changed.

The price has been paid for you and me! Now we can walk in love, free from condemnation. Christ’s sin offering is the work that both starts and finishes our faith. What should our response be? To believe and obey.