One thing about these (five) offerings introduced in Leviticus’ first few chapters … they allow us to see JESUS in a much deeper way than ever before!

Some people (like the Jews of old) are content to know Jesus only as the Passover Lamb! Just as a way out of arduous Egypt, a way to enjoy “free” food (manna), and a way to a new home (Canaan).

But these offerings (including the burnt offering) reveal Jesus in much deeper (fuller) detail!

Showing how His Death on Calvary accomplished so much MORE than we’d ever realize apart from the study of these God ordained Rituals. Yes, herein we will get to know Jesus BETTER! Appreciate HIM more! Understand His Calvary Work … from a number of different perspectives!

I’m in favor of that!

Today I’d like to say something about the burnt offering (whole burnt offering), but this fact applies to the other offerings as well.

Jesus is pictured from three angles!

This offering has an offending Jew, the “offerer,” if you understand me. Then of course there is the “offering” itself, a little male lamb (for example), and thirdly there is a “priest” officiating, receiving the offering and obeying God’s specifics about how to handle the ceremony.

Wow!

Preacher Bagwell, Jesus as “offerer?”

Yes, “to fulfill all righteousness” He came to earth and took on a body like mine (without sin, of course), identifying with me. He came “under the Law,” as Paul preached in Galatians 4:4-5. “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

Another verse might help as well. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit OFFERED HIMSELF without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Hebrews 9:14, Jesus as “offerer!”

Jesus took my place at the foot of the brazen altar and assumed my sin(s)! He offered HIMSELF as a sacrifice, a propitiation to God the Father … on our behalf.

And yes, certainly Jesus as “offering!”

This is of course the easiest to comprehend! Jesus IS the Lamb! Jesus IS the innocent little Dove of Almighty God! Jesus IS the big strong OX (BULLOCK) Who came to earth to both serve and to die for lost sinners.

(Those three categories of animals just mention … the three “levels” of the burnt offering! Three more “Views” of our dear Lord and His work on Calvary!)

Listen to John the Baptist one day … “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the LAMB OF GOD, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

Then Jesus as “priest?”

Certainly so! He IS our great High Priest yet to this day! He is the One Who presented His Own Blood to the Father on our behalf, in our stead! Read part of Hebrews 9:12 here … “By his own blood he (Jesus) entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” The “Holy Place” in Heaven, I believe.

Wow!

I am already seeing Jesus in a deeper way!

And our study of the offerings has just begun!

Come back tomorrow.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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