Jesus, the Perfect Offering

The first seven chapters of Leviticus describe five ritual offerings for God’s people: burnt offering, grain offering, peace offering, sin offering, and trespass offering. Each of these represent ways in which relationship with God is restored. However, these sacrifices must be repeated day after day. Jesus, however, is the perfect offering made once for all. As the writer of Hebrews says: “we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10).

(Leviticus 1-7; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 9:23-28; 10:1-18)

Sermon Outline

“And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)

Trust might be the most powerful thing in the universe.

Humanity has chosen to not trust God in many ways.

• The consequences are seen and felt in all areas of life.

The broken trust between humanity and God has resulted in terrible consequences for a very long time.

Thousands of years ago the Israelites were told to make offerings in response to that brokenness. See Leviticus chapters 1-7.

1. Burnt offering: The burnt offering was for sins that compromise devotion to God.
2. Grain offering: Thanksgiving for God’s provision and our work.
3. Fellowship offering: Celebrated peace and fellowship between the worshiper and God.
4. Sin offering: Addressed unintentional sins and their consequences (finalized outside the camp).
5. Guilt offering: Covered intentional or unintentional transgressions against God or neighbors, requiring the offender to make restitution for the wrong done.

Each of those offerings were a signpost pointing to what would eventually be accomplished in Christ. Notice the parallels.

1. Burnt offering: Christ’s devotion to the Father led him to take on the consequences of sin so that we didn’t need to (2 Corinthians 5:19).
2. Grain offering: Jesus was the bread of life without sin (John 6:35).
3. Fellowship offering: He gave up peace and fellowship with His father in Heaven so that we would not need to (Colossians 1:20).
4. Sin offering: His blood was shed (outside of Jerusalem) so that sin and death would have no hold on us (Hebrews 13:11-12).
5. Guilt offering: Christ paid our debt of sin completely (Colossians 2:13-14). He made full restitution for our wrongs.

Jesus became the perfect final sacrifice so that we could enter – and benefit from – the perfect trust that exists between him and the Father.

• We no longer offer animal or grain sacrifices, but we do bring an offering of trust.
• Where in your life would you like to trust God more?
• Bring that offering to the alter today and say this prayer, “God, today my offering is this: I trust you with this area of my life.” And then imagine placing it on the altar.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What is an experience you’ve had in life that taught you the power of trust?
2. What is an experience you’ve had that damaged your ability to trust people or God?
3. Why did God ask the Israelites to make those sacrifices year after year, knowing they wouldn’t actually do away with sin? What did they accomplish?
4. If we were living in that time period, which of those offerings would you feel compelled to bring today, and why?
5. Christ’s sacrifice made it so that we can enter and benefit from the perfect trust between Him and the Father. How do we do that?
6. Where in your life would you like to trust God more? Are you ready to bring that offering to the altar?
7. How would your life be different if you were able to trust God perfectly?

Dig Deeper:

• Memorize “…we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” –Hebrews 10:10
• Each morning this week make your first action an offering of trust to God. Get out of bed and find a place to pray. Pretend like you are carrying your offering of trust and bring it to Him. Place it in His hands, literally.
• Take time to reflect on what parts of your life lack peace. Once you become conscious of an area, ask God, “What do you want me to know about my lack of peace in this area of my life?” Then take time to listen. Follow up with another prayer, “What does it look like for me to trust you in this area of my life?” And listen. Let your thoughts flow and pay attention to what comes. When you experience a thought that you believe might be a clue from the Spirit of God, grab hold of it and take it to a trusted friend who can help you discern if that might be an insight from God.