Rev. David Holwick I
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
March 1, 1992
Leviticus 4:27-31
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I. Most people feel that our wrongdoing can only be removed at a price.
A. Perhaps we want to make others pay for what they have done
to us.
1) (Celeste's grandma and her hard treatment of playboy husband.)
B. Or we want to make ourselves pay for our own sins.
In one of his books Chuck Colson tells about an interview with
Albert Speer that took place on ABC's "Good Morning, America."
Speer was in charge of Hitler's military factories during WWII.
He was so good, production increased even during the bombings.
Speer was the only one of twenty-four war criminals tried in
Nuremburg to admit his guilt.
He spent twenty years in Spandau prison as a result.
Interviewer David Hartman referred to a passage in one of Speer's
earlier writings:
"You have said the guilt can never be forgiven, or shouldn't be.
Do you still feel that way?"
Colson says he will never forget the look of pathos on Speer's
face as he responded:
"I served a sentence of twenty years, and I could say 'I'm a free
man, my conscience has been cleared by serving the whole time
as punishment.'
But I can't do that.
I still carry the burden of what happened to millions of people
during Hitler's lifetime, and I can't get rid of it.
This new book is part of my atoning, of clearing my conscience."
Hartman pressed the point.
"You really don't think you'll be able to clear it totally?"
Speer shook his head, "I don't think it will be possible."
For thirty-five years Speer had accepted complete responsibility
for his crime.
His writings were filled with contrition and warnings to others
to avoid his moral failings.
He desperately sought to pay for his sin. But it was no use.
Colson says he wanted to write Speer, to tell him about Jesus
and His death on the cross, about God's forgiveness.
But there wasn't time.
The ABC interview was Speer's last public statement; he died
shortly after. #1714
C. Human efforts to atone (pay for sin) are doomed to failure.
II. The Old Testament presents sacrifices as the way of atonement.
A. Especially true in Leviticus.
B. Most ancient religions practice sacrifices.
1) Ignored/outmoded today, except for some Caribbean cults.
2) Even Jews look down on it.
C. Sacrifice is at the core of Christianity.
1) "Without the shedding of blood, ... no forgiveness." Heb 9:22
2) Jewish/Christian debate.
III. The meaning of sacrifice.
A. Sin separates us from God, according to Leviticus.
1) Sin leads to spiritual "uncleanness" and separation from God.
a) What is holy cannot come in contact with what is unclean.
10:10; 16:16
2) Literal death can result from sin. 10:1-3; 18:30-19:2
B. Sacrifice reverses the process.
1) Sacrifice cleans the unclean. 4:31
a) Purification laws all involve sacrifice. Lev 4-5
b) Altar and priests were "cleaned" with blood. 8:15,23,30
c) Day of Atonement has tabernacle smeared with blood. 16:19
d) Cured lepers were anointed/cleaned with blood. 14:6ff
1> They were also cleansed with water.
2> In a sense they were born again through water & blood.
e) A holy God can now meet sinful man.
2) Sacrifice as atonement.
a) Sacrifice requires a death.
1> In OT, instant judgment can occur before a sacrifice
can be given. Exod 32:25-35; Lev 10; Num 25:1-13
2> Where a man died there was no need for animals to be
sacrificed as well. Num 25:6-13
3> Blood (of an animal) signifies its death. Lev 17:11
4> Without blood, there is no forgiveness. Heb 9:22
b) Word "atonement" carries the idea of substitution.
1> Verb "kipper" is derived from word for "ransom price."
A> No ransom (atonement?) for a murderer. Num 35:31
B> But the bereaved may accept one. Exod 21:30
C> Various monetary payments are said to make
atonement. Exod 30:15; Num 31:50
2> The death of the animal in some way substitutes for the
death of the guilty person.
IV. How sacrifice functions.
A. God.
1) God takes the initiative. Sacrifice is offered in response
to his call. 20:8
2) God makes the sacrifice effective. 21:8
a) "The priest makes atonement for him and he will be
forgiven." 4:31
1> Mere performance by the priest is inadequate.
b) God is the one who grants forgiveness and cleansing.
B. Priest.
1) He must correctly perform the atonement rituals.
2) He is a go-between for God and the worshipper. 1 Tim 2:5
C. Worshipper.
1) In the case of unintentional sin, remorse and sacrifice
is sufficient for atonement. 5:15
2) But where sin is "high-handed," deliberate, more is needed:
a) Reparation.
b) Public confession. 6:1-7
V. Christ's sacrifice.
A. John the Baptist, Jesus, Paul, Peter, and writer of Hebrews
all view Christ's death as a sacrifice.
B. Unlike the sacrifices in Leviticus, the crucifixion was unlimited
in its scope and required no repetition.
C. Like the OT sacrifices, there must be:
1) A divine call to the individual.
2) A response of faith and repentance if the person is to enjoy
the effects of Christ's atonement. cf. Eph 1-2
VI. Making Jesus' sacrifice, your sacrifice.
A. Recognize your need for God and forgiveness.
1) Jesus had to die for you.
Jerome was a famous Catholic scholar of the fourth century.
He translated the Vulgate Bible, standard for 1,500 years.
Near the end of his life, Jerome was living near Bethlehem
translating some of the Bible when he had a dream.
In the dream, the Christ child appeared to him.
He was so overwhelmed by the appearance of the Christ child
that he felt he had to give Him something.
So he got some money and offered it, saying,
"Here! This is yours."
The Christ child said, "I don't want it."
Jerome brought some more possessions.
The Christ child said, "I don't want them either."
Jerome said, "If there is anything in the world that I can
give you, tell me what it is.
Tell me! What do you want? What do you want me to give you?"
He said he dreamed that the Christ child looked at him and
said this:
"Give me your sin! That's what I came for." #1649
2) Jesus' death is eternally valid.
B. Realize that the price of your sin has been paid.
1) Don't try to atone for it yourself through self-pity or guilt.
C. Don't try to make others pay for what they do to you.
1) From heaven's perspective, it is laughable.
2) Forgive as you have been forgiven.
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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