Musick-al note # 132
What is the differentiation of the importance of the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross? God had commanded His people in the Old Testament times to offer sacrifices of bulls, goats, calves and birds. These were to make atonement for their sins. The basic meaning of the Hebrew word, “kaphar”, translated, “atonement” means “to cover”. Elementary logic should indicate that “atonement” does not mean to “take away sins” but rather to “cover” them so that it allowed God to “wink at” sin (Acts 17:30); to overlook or cover the sin ONLY in view of the fact that they would be taken away by the blood of Christ. It is significant that the word “atonement” is not used in the original text in talking about what the blood of Jesus did for us. It is not rich and expressive enough. The ONLY way the Bible reveals that God could be just and justify the ungodly is that man’s sin be paid for by the blood of Christ. This is the very center of Christianity! In Romans 3:25, when the Authorized Version has “remission of sins that are past”, the Greek text does not have “aphesis”–remission, but “paresis”–a passing over, as the ASV puts it. So the blood of Jesus does not merely atone (cover) our sin, it “takes away” (airo) the guilt of sin from us as in John 1:29. It takes us away from sin (exeletai) as in Gal. 1:4. It disannuls the effect of sin (athetesis) as in Hebrews 9:26. It redeems us from the world of sin (agorazo) as in Rev. 5:9. It redeems us OUT OF sin (exagorazo) as in Gal. 3:13. God decreed that every soul that sinned would die (Ezekiel 18:4, Romans 6:23) Jesus paid the ransom antilutron (1 Tim. 2:6) by dying for us (Romans 5:6-9, Hebrews 2:9).
The superiority of Jesus sacrifice on the Cross over the sacrifices of the Old Testament is clearly seen in the effectiveness of His sacrifice over that of the animals sacrificed. They could not take away sin (Hebrews 10:4) but Jesus took away our sins (Hebrews 9:12, 15; 10:12, 14, 18). We can have assurance before God because of the work and sacrifice of Jesus who gave himself for us that He might bring us to God. (1 Peter 3:18). His salvation is offered to all who will obey Him. (Hebrews 5:8-9; Matt 7:21-26).
Gordon Musick
Musick-al Notes 