How Absolutely Beautifully Glorious. Look and see Jesus in Leviticus 

We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who ministers in the sanctuary and true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man. And since every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, it was necessary for this One also to have something to offer. Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer gifts according to the law. The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises. (Hebrews 8:1-6 BSB) 

Look and See Jesus

The book of Leviticus is not the one we find easy to read. It seems so far away. We may think it too antiquated. No interesting stories, no joyous songs, and on surface appears only to relate to the Jewish nation in that time. Typically, people avoid reading the details of the sacrificial system, believing it irrelevant today. What if I told you that you can look and see Jesus in Leviticus. Then you would know just how absolutely beautifully glorious this book really is. Every detail from the types of sacrifice to the robes worn by the priests point to Jesus. He is the final and true priest as well as the final true Sacrifice. In Him we have full atonement for our sins. He is the final sacrifice. 

So, let us take a moment to look and see Jesus in the pages of this ancient book. Chapters one through seventeen are about redemption. The way to God is through Sacrifice. The Walk with God through sanctification is then the major theme of Leviticus 18-27. To understand the cost paid by Christ at Calvary for our redemption, we need to understand Leviticus. Furthermore, the book of Hebrews cannot be fully appreciated without an understanding of Leviticus. The book opens with the description of five major sacrifices. Each of these five provide a typological portrait of Christ on Calvary. So, let us look and see Jesus in each of these 5 Sacrifices. 

Look and See Jesus in the Burnt Offering 

When any of you brings an offering to the LORD, you may bring as your offering an animal from the herd or the flock. If one’s offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for its acceptance before the LORD. He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so it can be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. 

And he shall slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests are to present the blood and sprinkle it on all sides of the altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Next, he is to skin the burnt offering and cut it into pieces. 

The sons of Aaron the priest shall put a fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. Then Aaron’s sons the priests are to arrange the pieces, including the head and the fat, atop the burning wood on the altar. The entrails and legs must be washed with water, and the priest shall burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Leviticus 1:1-6 (BSB)

The burnt offering could be a bull, sheep, goat, or birds. This offering required that everything be burned up, symbolic of total dedication. Jesus was the perfect spotless sacrifice to give His all to the will of the Father in absolute obedience. Nothing left behind as the aroma of the sacrifice was a “sweet savor” to the Father. Furthermore, the sin and guilt of the one who came in faith was symbolically transferred to the sacrificed one. Just as our sin and guilt was laid upon Jesus.  

In the Meal Offering we can also Look and See Jesus 

When anyone brings a grain offering to the LORD, his offering must consist of fine flour. He is to pour olive oil on it, put frankincense on it, and bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the flour and oil, together with all the frankincense, and burn this as a memorial portion on the altar. An offering made by fire. A pleasing aroma to the LORD. The remainder of the grain offering shall belong to Aaron and his sons. It is a most holy part of the offerings made by fire to the LORD. 

The meal offering was an act of worship to the Lord. It emphasized the balance, fragrance, and purity of the life of Christ that was presented on our behalf. This offering was not mandatory, but symbolic of dedication and consecration to the Lord. Jesus Christ was totally devoted to the Father’s purposes, regardless of the cost. This also symbolized the faith and recognition that God is the provider of all we need.  

Where Can we Look and See Jesus in the Peace Offering 

“If one’s offering is a peace offering and he offers an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he must present it without blemish before the LORD. He is to lay his hand on the head of the offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood on all sides of the altar. 

From the peace offering he is to bring an offering made by fire to the LORD: the fat that covers the entrails, all the fat that is on them, both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys. Then Aaron’s sons are to burn it on the altar atop the burnt offering that is on the burning wood, as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD…This is a permanent statute for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.”

Leviticus 3:1-5, 17 (BSB)

“The sacrifice of the peace offering had as its essential feature the concept of fellowship.  This concept is indicated as part of the offering was laid on the altar and burned as a fit to the Lord, part was given to the priests, and the remainder was eaten by the worshiper.  This seems to have been the supreme significance for it expressed not only joy, peace, and gratitude, but also sharing joint participation, fellowship, and friendship…1 

Christ is Our Peace Offering–Look and See Jesus

. Christ is our Peace, our Peace-offering; for through him alone it is that we can obtain an answer of peace to our prayers. Or the peace-offering was offered by way of thanksgiving for some mercy received. We must offer to God the sacrifice of praise continually, by Christ our Peace; and then this shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock.2 

Certainly, we can Look and See Jesus in the Sin offering 

Although the high priest brings the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so, Jesus also suffered outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood. Therefore, let us go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore. For here we do not have a permanent city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Hebrews 13:11-14 (BSB) 

The sin offering was not a voluntary sacrifice as it was with the first three spoken of.  This was compulsory for the priests, the congregation, the common individuals, and the rulers.  It made atonement for sins done through ignorance, negligence whether by omission or commission, unintentionally or inadvertently.  Those committed in blatant defiance did not have a means of atonement provided here.  

The sin offerings differed by degree and by the rank of the one committing the sin.  Priests and leaders were held to a higher standard because of the degree their sin would influence others to sin.  This sacrifice did have to be carried outside the camp to be burned.  Thus, it pointed to Jesus hung on the cross outside the city gate.  

The Trespass Offering (Guilt Offering) Points to Jesus Who Bore Our Guilt 

Then the LORD said to Moses, “If someone acts unfaithfully and sins unintentionally against any of the LORD’s holy things, he must bring his guilt offering to the LORD: an unblemished ram from the flock, of proper value in silver shekels according to the sanctuary shekel;c it is a guilt offering. Regarding any holy thing he has harmed, he must make restitution by adding a fifth of its value to it and giving it to the priest, who will make atonement on his behalf with the ram as a guilt offering, and he will be forgiven. 

If someone sins and violates any of the LORD’s commandments even though he was unaware, he is guilty and shall bear his punishment. He is to bring to the priest an unblemished ram of proper value from the flock as a guilt offering. Then the priest will make atonement on his behalf for the wrong he has committed in ignorance, and he will be forgiven. It is a guilt offering; he was certainly guilty before the LORD.”  Leviticus 5: 14-19 (BSB) 

Thanks be to God that Jesus Christ bore all our shame and guilt upon the cross because we had no hope otherwise. 

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.  James 2:10 

But Thanks Be to Christ:  

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  Romans 8 

Look and See Jesus -Be clothed in His Righteousness

19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.

For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.  Romans 3 

Priestly Garments Point to Christ 

Certainly! The priestly garments in the Old Testament hold deep spiritual significance and point to Christ. Let us explore how these garments symbolize different aspects of our relationship with Him: 

  1. Tunic of Fine Woven Linen: 
  • The tunic represents Christ as our perfect righteousness. It is made of fine woven linen, signifying the covering of Christ’s righteousness in a humanity that has been processed and dealt with. 
  • In Revelation 19:8, we see that Christ’s humanity qualifies Him to be our perfect righteousness before God. 
  1. Turban of Fine Linen: 
  • The turban signifies Christ as the glory of perfect righteousness. When people meet us, they notice our head and what we are wearing on it. 
  • The turban represents Christ as our boast (Philippians 3:3, Romans 5:2, 1 Corinthians 1:31). Our only boast is in Christ, our righteousness! 
  1. Girding Sash: 
  • The sash, embroidered by the Spirit, symbolizes strengthening through the Spirit’s constituting work (Ephesians 3:16). 
  • We are being transformed by the Spirit’s fine needlework, constituting us with the Spirit’s strength to live Christ. 
  1. High Priest’s Robe, Ephod, and Breastplate: 
  • The high priest wore a robe, ephod, and breastplate. These represent Christ as our sanctification, transformation, and glorification. 
  • The gold, blue, purple, and scarlet threads signify different aspects of Christ’s work and attributes. 
  • The stones on the breastplate shine with Christ’s glory, and they are built together in gold settings, signifying Christ as our building up. 
  1. Application for Us Today: 

In summary, the priestly garments foreshadowed Christ, and today, we magnify Him by wearing Christ as our spiritual attire. 

Bing COPILOT

How Absolutely Beautifully Glorious. Look and see Jesus Law of Atonement 

The law of atonement was established as a yearly event for the cleansing of the nation, beginning with the priest, his family, and the nation.  This is celebrated in the Jewish faith as Yom Kippur.  This was established as a National Day of Atonement as outlined in Leviticus 16. 

the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Placea behind the veil in front of the mercy seatb on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat. 

This is how Aaron is to enter the Holy Place: with a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He is to wear the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments. He must tie a linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are holy garments, and he must bathe himself with water before he wears them. And he shall take from the congregation of Israel two male goats for a sin offering and one ram for a burnt offering. 

Aaron is to present the bull for his sin offering and make atonement for himself and his household. Then he shall take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 

After Aaron casts lots for the two goats, one for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat, he shall present the goat chosen by lot for the LORD and sacrifice it as a sin offering. But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to make atonement by sending it into the wilderness as the scapegoat. 

Leviticus 16:3-10

The cloak of Aaron’s was symbolic of our being covered with the righteousness of Christ that we may go before God without fear of death.  

The Sin Offering

Aaron shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and bring its blood behind the veil, and with its blood he must do as he did with the bull’s blood: He is to sprinkle it against the mercy seat and in front of it.  So, he shall make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the impurities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to do the same for the Tent of Meeting which abides among them, because it is surrounded by their impurities. No one may be in the Tent of Meeting from the time Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Most Holy Place until he leaves, after he has made atonement for himself, his household, and the whole assembly of Israel. 

Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD and make atonement for it. He is to take some of the bull’s blood and some of the goat’s blood and put it on all the horns of the altar. He is to sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and consecrate it from the uncleanness of the Israelites. 

Look and See Jesus–our Scape Goat

When Aaron has finished purifying the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, he is to bring forward the live goat.  Then he is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to put them on the goat’s head and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their iniquities into a solitary place, and the man will release it into the wilderness. 

This symbolic of our sin being cast as far from us, for God to remember no more. 

A Yearly Atonement Becomes Eternal When We Look and See Jesus

Then Aaron is to enter the Tent of Meeting, take off the linen garments he put on before entering the Most Holy Place, and leave them there. He is to bathe himself with water in a holy place and put on his own clothes. Then he must go out and sacrifice his burnt offering and the people’s burnt offering to make atonement for himself and for the people. He is also to burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar. 

This was established to be a yearly ritual.  Although Jesus died on Passover to be our Passover lamb, he also made atonement for our sins so that  

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, 

when I will make a new covenant 

with the house of Israel 

and with the house of Judah. 

It will not be like the covenant 

I made with their fathers 

when I took them by the hand 

to lead them out of the land of Egypt, 

because they did not abide by My covenant, 

and I disregarded them, declares the Lord. 

For this is the covenant I will make 

with the house of Israel 

after those days, 

declares the Lord. 

I will put My laws in their minds 

and inscribe them on their hearts. 

I will be their God, 

and they will be My people. 

No longer will each one teach his neighbor or his brother, 

saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ 

because they will all know Me, 

from the least of them to the greatest. 

For I will forgive their iniquities 

and will remember their sins no more.” 

By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete, and aging will soon disappear.  Hebrews 8:8-13 and Jeremiah 31:26-40 (BSB) 

So, all of this to say with Paul 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2 NKJV 

1 Falwell, Jerry; The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, Liberty University 1988, page 174 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

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