Sticks and Stone, Part 2

In our modern Western context, the Old Testament practice of sacrificing animals can seem brutish, backwards, or perhaps superstitious. But if we can learn to see them through the eyes of Jesus, then we will see the cross like never before.

Battle Belongs
Phil Wickham

Christ is Enough
Hillsong Worship

King of Kings
Hillsong Worship

Broken Vessels
Hillsong Worship

God shows up to do for us what we can’t do for ourselves.

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Leviticus 17:11
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.

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The Old Testament Sacrifice System
1. Help them to avoid sin
2. Offer payment for when they sinned
3. Provide cleansing individually and for the whole community
4. Ensure God’s presence

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Matthew 26:26-29
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

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John 1:29
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

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Hebrews 9:11-14
But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God…

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Colossians 1:20
…and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

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Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

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1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

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Romans 5:9
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!

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Hebrews 10:3-12
But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world…He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God…

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Luke 24:16
…their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

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Luke 24:30-31
When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.

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John Calvin
“As long as Christ remains outside of us, and we are separated from him, all that he has suffered and done for the salvation of the human race will remain useless and of no value for us.”