This week we take on some big topics of Sacrifice & Atonement, as we continue through the book of Multiply, by Francis Chan. Most likely the only reason one is reading this is because they are in the series and it is the next study. It is doubtful that someone would see such a title and jump right in. Let’s jump right in with establishing where we are…
If someone asked you “what does sacrifice and atonement mean?”, how would you describe them?
A sacrifice can typically be thought of as a loss or something you give up, usually for the sake of a better cause. As in, I sacrificed buying a new television so I could go on vacation this fall.
Atonement is a bit more complex, meaning the making of amends for a wrong one has done, by paying money to or otherwise helping those who have been wronged. As in, “”she wanted to make atonement for her husband’s behavior”.
We hear about sacrifice and atonement when we go to church, or read parts of the bible, but because the terms are not frequently used in our generation, we whiz right on by them. Today we are going to learn about them and benefit by embracing them. We will learn our Christian definition is rooted in sacrifice and atonement.
The good news
God invites humanity into relationship with Him.
The bad news
A holy God cannot stay connected to sinful people.
At this point in the biblical storyline some important questions develop. Will God need to lower His standards? Will God’s people be able to live sinless lives so they can enjoy God’s presence?
The reality
The answer to both of the questions is no. God will not lower his standards and people can not be perfect to enjoy God’s presence.
God would never and could never lower his standards or diminish His holiness. Ever since the fall in Genesis chapter 3, human beings are incapable of living sinless lives and enjoying God’s presence on the basis of their own moral purity. So for this relationship to happen, something has to be done. Sin the inevitable sin that enters the lives of the people of God has to be dealt with, that is where “sacrifice” comes in.
Most Christians today understand that Jesus’s death on the cross paid for our sins and allowed us to have a relationship with God. But rarely do we consider that Jesus’ death was the culmination of a larger story of sin and sacrifice. We don’t get the magnitude of the work on the cross unless we understand what the death of Jesus took the place of. Only when we understand the Old Testament sacrifices can we see how the Old and New Testaments dovetail together for a perfect story.
Explain what you know about Old Testament sacrifices. Have you ever thought of Jesus’ sacrifice in light of the Old Testament sacrificial system?
Sacrifice in the Old Testament story
Sacrifice enters the scene when the relationship with God and humanity breaks down in Genesis chapter 3. As soon as Adam and Eve ate the fruit that God had forbidden, they felt ashamed of their nakedness and tried to cover themselves with leaves. God’s response to this problem foreshadowed the way He would continue to deal with human sin. God made clothes for Adam and Eve out of animal skins. The text does not go into great detail, but making a simple observation: an animal had to die so that the shame of sin could be covered. The sacrificial system is not fully explained until we get to Leviticus, but it is in action before then. Another example from Abraham’s life is particularly helpful in understanding how sacrifice works.
In Genesis 22, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. This seemed very strange since God promised that Abraham would have numerous descendants and this was his only son.
Can we imagine what Abraham must have been going through? Should he obey the Lord? Wouldn’t it make more sense to protect his son in order to pursue the promises that God made to him? Abraham decided to obey the Lord, trusting that God could do anything, including raise his son from the dead. But during the story we learn that at the last moment, God stopped Abraham and instead provided a ram to sacrifice in place of Isaac.
Key take aways from Genesis 22
God could potentially accept a human sacrifice for sin – though he did not allow it to go to this point until the death of Jesus. It also shows us that God could accept a substitute – in this case a ram was sacrificed so that Isaac wouldn’t be sacrificed. Like many things of the Old Testament, Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection takes these beliefs and rituals and displays them more beautifully and powerfully than anyone could have imagined.
Why was sacrifice an important theme in the Old Testament?
Sacrifice in the Law of Moses
We read about sacrifices in the Old Testament, but it is not until God gave the Law to Moses that animal sacrifices became an integral part of the life of Israel. Sacrifices were designed to show gratitude to God, to demonstrate a contrite heart before God, and to atone for sin.
The word atone, or atonement is significant theologically, and is often overlooked or taken for granted. An easy way to remember the meaning of atonement is to break the word down like this: at-one-ment. Atonement is all about reconciling, making amends for what has gone wrong, and establishing peace where there was conflict.
Atonement allows people who were distanced from God because of their sin to once again enjoy being “at one” with God.
A proper understanding of sacrifice and atonement is so helpful for those of us who tend to do good works in hopes of making up for the wrong we’ve done. Just as the Israelites found atonement through the sacrifices, we must learn to put all of our hope in a sacrifice. The New Testament clearly explains that the sacrifice we must trust in was made by Jesus.
Can you explain the role of sacrifices played in the way Israel related to their God?
Reminder of Sin
The most common, and alarming topic in the Old Testament is all the references and details about blood. There seems to be blood splattered everywhere. It is because blood was necessary for an effective sacrifice.
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. – Leviticus 17:11 ESV
Day of Atonement
Now the use of the word atonement gets put into practice. Remember, atonement: making of amends for a wrong one has done, We learn about how we can be allowed to be in the proximity of God putting the sacrificial system in place, but there is one event in the middle of Leviticus that cuts to the heart. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. An event still celebrated today by Jews. Every year the Israelites would celebrate the Day of Atonement and God would atone for His people’s sins and enable them to dwell with Him.
Read Leviticus 16
What stands out to you from reading this description of the Day of Atonement?
One thing that should be clear is that God takes this seriously. God gives specific instructions, one man, with a lot of exact duties, is allowed to enter the Most Holy Place, the Holy of Holies, and stand before God on behalf of the people.
If we don’t get the significance and importance of this event, we diminish the glory of what Jesus did in the New Testament.
What does the Day of Atonement teach us about the nature of sin and the reality of forgiveness?
Problems with Animal Sacrifices
The need to constantly repeat these sacrifices points to a limitation inherent in the Old Testament sacrificial system. The focus was never meant to be on the ritual. It was to be about the heart of the worshipper, not about the value of his or her offering. God said explicitly through the prophet Hosea.
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. – Hosea 6:6 ESV
Much like in our times, it is a routine that people can get caught in and just participate in the ritual and lose connection with their heart and motives. In the old days it actually got to a point where the people were no longer offering God the best of their flock; they were simply going through the motions. We need to understand God’s heart about this situation.
Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. – Malachi 1:10 ESV
God would rather someone shut the doors and prevent sacrifices from being offered at all than to have people making casual sacrifices. We also see this later when Jesus teaches about the authenticity of relationships and the importance over rituals.
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. – Matthew 5:23-24 ESV
How should God’s emphasis on the heart of the worshipper affect the way we approach God in our worship and in our everyday lives?
The Ultimate Sacrifice
Everything we learn about the Old Testament sacrificial system finds culmination in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Read Hebrews 9:11-10:25
In light of what we have studied about the Old Testament sacrificial system and what we read in Hebrews, how does the Old Testament system of sacrifice and atonement elp us to better understand the significance of Jesus’ death?
Take this session and use it to get to a reality check of sin in your life. Invite God in to work on your heart. Take some time this week to dwell on the Romans 12…
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. – Romans 12:1 ESV
This coming week as we prepare for the next session on God’s presence on Earth, you can use your devotional time to read some supporting scripture…
Exodus 32 & 33
Exodus 34 & 35
1 Kings 5 & 6
1 Kings 7, 8, & 9
Psalm 65 & 66
Psalm 84
There is also a supporting video to watch that will lead you into the next section:
REMEMBER… if you don’t have the book, get it here:
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Le 17:11). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
Chan, Francis. Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples. David C Cook. Kindle Edition.