The law of sacrifices (part one)

 The law of sacrifices and offerings

The law of sacrifices and offerings or the ceremonial law is the law which most people are confusing with the spiritual law of love. They erroneously are mistaking it with the spiritual law. Because although for as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse, for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them." No one can be justified by keeping the spiritual law, and no one can inherit the promise which God made to Abraham by observing the law, we therefore conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

Nevertheless, the law of love/righteousness should not be confused with the law of sacrifices and offerings which was added because of transgressing the spiritual law.

The law of sacrifices and offerings we are told:

1.      Was added because of transgression

2.      Was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices were offered which could not make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience

3.      Was imposed until the time of reformation

4.      Was a copy and shadow of the things in the heavens

This law was a substitute, a copy of the real sacrifice which is Jesus Christ. Ceremonial laws therefore, have not been completely abolished, but they have rather been reformed, because we have been instructed saying: “For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and un-profitableness, for the law made nothing perfect, on the other hand there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God” (Hebrews 7:18-19).

This law was instituted until the real offering became effective, because, “the Holy Spirit indicated that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices were offered which could not make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience. It was concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

The rationale and objective for the ceremonial laws have not changed; the rationale for the ceremonial law was to clear the conscience of the one who performed the service, and to make those who draw near to God perfect, but they were weak and unprofitable. Therefore, when Christ who is the real sacrifice came into the world He said: “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin you did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), then He said, “Behold, I have come to do your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:8-10).

Jesus Christ like every high priest, who is selected from among men, is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. For it is written: “For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer” (Hebrews 5:1; 8:3).

The offering which Jesus Christ offers is far superior, and it is able to fulfill the Father’s demand, which is to present the worshiper perfect before Him. And so it is written: “Therefore, it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” And, “Because He continues forever, He has an unchangeable priesthood, and therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 9: 23-24; 7:24-25).

God, by sending His only begotten Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering, He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law, which is to present the worshiper holy, perfect, and irreproachable before God might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature, but according to the Spirit.

To be continued