Pastoral Perspective: A correlation between animal sacrifice and the lamb of God

Separated as we are by thousands of years from any meaningful animal sacrifice, the very thought of it is disturbing. It seems to be nothing more than a relic of humanity’s barbaric past. Yet from the beginning, mankind has been told that the wages of sin is death (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 6:23). We flinch at the idea of killing an innocent animal to atone for sin. This is good. We ought to be uncomfortable with animal sacrifice.

The death of animals in the place of sinners who deserve to die is no light topic. From Adam and Eve having their nakedness covered by coats of animal skin (strongly suggestive of animals dying to cover the consequences of their sins — Genesis 3:21) to other examples from Abel to Noah, the shedding of blood is significant.

From the Patriarchs to their descendants’ participation in the first Passover, animal blood was spilled in great quantities as an essential part of being freed from bondage to sin and having fellowship with God restored. The Law of Moses was explicit, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I [God] have given it to you … to make atonement for your souls” (Leviticus 17:11).

Such sacrifices were offered daily (Numbers 28:3,4), weekly (vv. 9,10), monthly (vv. 11) and annually (vv. 16-31; 29:1-40). Indeed, “the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly” (Romans 8:20), but as a result of man’s sin (cf. Genesis 3:17-19).

The Law that revealed all of this was given “because of transgressions” (Galatians 3:19); it “was our tutor” (v. 24). From all of these examples and statutes we should come to learn that sin is real; it is serious; it is costly; it brings about death; and that “without shedding of blood there is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22).

Yet more than 1,500 years after the Law of Moses taught the costly consequences of sin and the necessity of shedding blood for its remission, we are explicitly told that, “it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins” (10:4).

What?!

Some may be dumbstruck by this revelation as they contemplate the rivers of blood shed “in vain.” Others may simply be relieved that such a crude practice is no longer required. Yet such responses misunderstand what was and is required.

Insofar as people learned to appreciate the costliness of sin, no animal died in vain. Animal sacrifices pointed to what actually was required for the remission of sins; therein their purpose was served.

We flinch at shedding the blood of innocent animals to atone for sin; “how much more … the blood of Christ” (9:14)? The horror and grace of it all should compel us to feel sorrow, shame, repentance, gratitude, resolve, devotion and personal sacrifice (cf. Galatians 2:20; Romans 12:1).

The insufficiency of animal sacrifices is alluded to in the Old Testament. To show that the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin, the writer of Hebrews quoted from the Psalms, “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, … in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold I have come … to do Your will, O God’” (cf. Psalm 40:6-8). Jesus came to do what burnt offerings could not (Hebrews 10:4-10).

In the context of those familiar with the Law of Moses, John the Baptist prepared the way of the Lord (Matthew 3:1-3) and identified Jesus of Nazareth as “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29,36).

What is meant by this designation? How might it have been understood?

In its first usage, John added, “who takes away the sin of the world.” The allusion to a lamb and taking away sin seems to contrast the animal sacrifices of the Law that could “never take away sins” with “one sacrifice for sins forever” (Hebrews 10:11,12), “the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (v. 10), and “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19).

Contextually, the designation of Jesus as The Lamb of God was made when “the Passover of the Jews was at hand” (John 2:13). It is clear from the original Passover event that homes covered by the blood were spared the wrath of God and given their freedom from bondage; all of which is a metaphor of our potential release from the bondage of sin by Christ who did shed his blood “for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:26-28) during the Passover (v. 17) and is called “our Passover” (1 Corinthians 5:7).

From Abraham’s prediction that God would “provide for Himself the lamb” (Genesis 22:8) to the prophecy that God’s Servant would be “led as a lamb to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7), we can have a fuller appreciation for why the Holy Spirit identified Jesus as The Lamb of God. Yet, this Lamb is not only revealed to be the One in whose blood we are washed (Revelation 7:14), but is “Lord of lords, and King of kings” (17:14), is worthy of worship (5:12-14), is coming in wrath (6:16), and by Whose blood we shall overcome (12:11). Behold! The Lamb of God.

Andy Diestelkamp pastors at Pontiac Church of Christ

This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Andy Diestelkamp Pastoral Perspective religion column on sin atonement